A month after Chile's government withdrew support, former President Michelle Bachelet presented her vision for leading the United Nations to its 193 member states on Tuesday, amid her bid to become the first woman secretary-general. Having arrived in New York on April 15, she prepared with a team of former Chilean foreign ministers, while facing high opposition expectations and criticism from the U.S. and local sectors.
Michelle Bachelet appeared before the UN General Assembly at 10 a.m. on Tuesday to defend her candidacy for secretary-general. She arrived in New York on Wednesday, April 15, and met with Brazil's ambassador Paulo Pacheco and Mexico's Héctor Vasconcelos, both continuing their support despite Chile's March withdrawal.
Chile's President José Antonio Kast's administration had announced on March 24 it would not back the bid—initially formalized under predecessor Gabriel Boric—citing dispersed Latin American candidacies. Bachelet prepared with a team of ex-foreign ministers led by Heraldo Muñoz, including key figures like Mariano Fernández and Ignacio Walker (as previously rallied in response to the withdrawal).
Chilean opposition remains optimistic. Partido Comunista's Jeannette Jara expressed conviction in her victory, citing international solidarity post-Kast's rejection. PC secretary general Bárbara Figueroa called for high-level debate and peace commitment. Partido Socialista's Arturo Barrios highlighted her prestige, blaming the government's ideology.
Main competitors include Argentina's Rafael Grossi, Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan, and former Senegalese President Macky Sall. Challenges persist: U.S. envoy Mike Waltz voiced Republican concerns over her China human rights record and abortion stance. PNL's former deputy Johannes Kaiser deemed the candidacy counterproductive without Chilean support.
