The political climate in both Chile and Argentina is dynamic and changing, especially following and anticipating recent elections. These descriptions of the political climates are not thorough and cannot wholly encapsulate the many years of history, tensions, and people’s feelings regarding their governments, economies, and overall welfare in the country. In order to further understand the political climates of both Chile and Argentina, we highly recommend doing your own research beyond these brief snapshots, especially if you are interested in politics and Latin American studies.
Political climate of Argentina
The 2023 election resulted in a new president, Javier Milei, who has deeply shifted the political and economic landscape of the country. Following previously very high rates of inflation, the new president has promised major economic reforms in the country, which have created intense division and controversy among the population. The new government’s goals of reducing spending to lower inflation have manifested in high rates of unemployment and fewer social services for the population, which have spurred social action and protests from the people.
There have been several investigations and speculations on the president in relation to corruption and fraud, especially after a recent cryptocurrency scandal.
Political climate of Chile
The upcoming 2025 election has a major influence on the political climate of Chile, with three major, mostly right-wing, candidates. The country is currently facing high rates of inflation and a housing crisis, and has a history of corruption in the government. These issues, among others, have led to significant protests and demonstrations from the public expressing their dismay in the current state of public and social services of the country.
For those traveling in Patagonia, while demonstrations might be more common in the larger cities of Chile and Argentina, it is unlikely that tourists in this remote southern region will feel those impacts. The major impact that tourists might see is the rate of inflation in both countries; in Argentina, you may notice fluctuating exchange rates or that paying in USD is widely accepted.
Be sure to approach conversations about politics with respect, and understand a bit about Chile and Argentina’s histories before delving into discussions.
In general, if you approach the people and region of Patagonia with kindness and respect, they shall treat you the same back, and you will enjoy every minute!