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Latin America veers Left

The election of Michelle Bachelet as President of Chile is another important milestone in the advance of the Left in Latin American politics. The former doctor represents Concertacion, a coalition led by her Socialist party and the Christian Democrats. The clear majority Ms. Bachelet won in the second round runoff speaks to the Chilean determination, born out of memories of the 17-year-long brutal dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet, not to give Right-wing parties a comeback opportunity. The Left-Centre coalition has ruled since 1990. The now disgraced General's rule from 1973 to 1990 was notorious for the disappearance of his political opponents, among them the new President's father and boyfriend; Ms. Bachelet herself was detained and tortured. The opposition candidate, Sebastian Pinera of the Centre-Right National Party, openly came out against the General but voters feared that, given a chance, he might open the door to the hardline Right. The victory of Ms. Bachelet follows the election of the socialist leader Evo Morales as President of Bolivia. Together with the Left governments of Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, the newly elected presidents of Chile and Bolivia represent Latin America's desire to move out of an orbit defined by the economic and security interests of the United States, with the conservative elites and militaries of the region acting as its handmaidens.

Opposition to U.S. policies and hegemony in Latin America has rarely been stronger, even if there are limits to this opposition. The economic reforms implemented in the region under the tutelage of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have brought few benefits. Economic growth per capita has stagnated and poverty levels have risen. While the new Chilean leader is likely to continue the free market policies which led to the growth of the country's economy, she has committed herself to addressing the inequities that accompanied development. The Bolivian President — an Ayamara Indian and the first Native American in more than 200 years to rule in the region — draws support from small farmers who depend on cocoa cultivation for their livelihood (following the collapse of the country's tin industry). Mr. Morales, who takes office next week, has declared he will not support the U.S.-financed cocoa-eradication programme. Promising action against drug traffickers, he has made the point that cocoa-producing countries do not bear sole responsibility for eradicating the cocaine trade. The Left in the region is evolving new economic methods and works within democratic frameworks. Progressives in different countries are now trying to bring themselves into closer alignment, drawing inspiration from the iconic leadership of Cuba's President Fidel Castro and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. Nine more countries in Latin America are scheduled to hold elections before year-end, but the political map of the continent has already changed.

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