“I can remember when “Chile” was pronounced “chili” in this country. Perhaps it’s part of a movement to pronounce names closer to the way natives do, and do away with anglicized pronunciations???”
Well, I would like to agree with you, but I believe it is just PC BS.
I remember Peter Jennings making a big deal about pronouncing it “Nee-carrrrr-ah-gua” but never once saying “Roma,” “Hellas” (Greece), “Deitschland.”
All BS, in my opinion.;
I know quite a number of Spanish people who look at people rather strange or even a little insulted when people over-exaggerate or over-pronounce Spanish names.