Political Instability in Latin America from Bolivia to Chile

FEATURING GUILLAUME LONG – A number of countries in Latin America have been wracked by political violence over the past several weeks. Most recently Bolivian authorities announced on Monday night that President Evo Morales has likely won reelection and narrowly avoided a runoff. Riots erupted in response amid accusations that Morales won the election unfairly.

In Chile, mass protests have led to nearly a dozen deaths in just a few days as Chileans revolted against an increase in subway fares that they say unfairly targets ordinary people. President Sebastián Piñera, a billionaire who was elected in 2017 has declared war against the protesters.

Ecuador has also been struck with anti-austerity protests as President Lenin Moreno agreed to cancel a package of reforms backed by the International Monetary Fund.

And in Peru, earlier this month, President Martin Vizcarra abruptly dissolved the country’s Congress, leading Congress members to suspend him.

Guillaume Long, senior research fellow at the Center for Economic and Policy Research.