President Gabriel Boric announced he will formalize Michelle Bachelet's candidacy for UN secretary general, viewing it as a state decision. The process involves coordinating timelines with world leaders, despite potential vetoes in the Security Council. The candidacy has not yet been formally submitted due to uncertainty from president-elect José Antonio Kast.
President Gabriel Boric confirmed on Tuesday, in an interview with Tolerancia Cero, that the government will formalize former President Michelle Bachelet's candidacy for the position of secretary general of the United Nations (UN). "We are going to formalize that candidacy. We are looking at the deadlines with the president, in conversations also with other world leaders, but the goal is for us to formalize that candidacy," Boric stated, emphasizing that the decision transcends administrations and is a matter of state.
Boric recalled announcing the candidacy in September last year during the UN General Assembly, before the presidential elections. He highlighted Bachelet's international prestige: "Given the trajectory of President Bachelet, it seems indisputable to me, and it is understood that way around the world, that she is one of the people with the curriculum, particularly for the difficult times being lived in the world and multilateralism, to assume a responsibility of this nature".
However, the process faces hurdles, such as the veto power of the five permanent members of the Security Council. Boric alluded to potential complications due to his criticisms of U.S. President Donald Trump, but defended transparency: "In these things, one has to act without hiding the cards of what one believes." He added that if the United States vetoes Bachelet, it would have to justify it, noting that Chile has strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The candidacy has not been formally submitted to the UN, although the Foreign Ministry has allocated resources for the campaign. The delay is partly due to the uncertainty of José Antonio Kast, who met with Bachelet on December 22 but will decide after taking office on March 11. Sectors of the right have expressed support for the candidacy.
