South America Is Turning More Right-Wing

Voters angry about crime, immigration and the economy are backing conservative politicians who want closer ties with the U.S.

Chile is poised to elect as president a conservative who has proposed digging ditches to keep out immigrants. In Bolivia, voters recently kicked out the socialists who governed for nearly 20 years. And in Argentina, even the poorest voters have backed President Javier Milei’s efforts to shrink the state.

Ruled several years ago by a cohort of leftists, many of them opposed to the U.S., South America is seeing its political pendulum shift to the right. It couldn’t come at a better time for President Trump.

After years of overlooking its own backyard, the U.S. has taken a renewed interest in South America under Trump. His administration has blasted alleged drug-running boats out of the water in the Caribbean, backed Milei’s government with billions of dollars in financial support and forged ahead with deals to claw back influence from China.

At stake is the region’s vast mineral and oil reserves—a prize now in easier reach of Washington as pro-market leaders sweep to power. Trump also has a chance to cement U.S. control over the Western Hemisphere, which his administration sees as the U.S.’s domain.

“You have a vast strategic opportunity for the United States,” said Evan Ellis, a Latin America expert at the U.S. Army War College.

Anger over rising crime and immigration, which is largely from impoverished Venezuela, has given the political right momentum. Economic mismanagement by left-wing governments is also boosting pro-market politicians.

“There is a real frustration and an appetite for more-drastic measures across...

Trump really IS a populist - and he works hard at keeping his word to the people. He’s getting rid of illegals, creating more jobs, reducing taxes, trying to stop wars, make us healthier, wealthier, safer and he’s doing it. It’s not just words with Trump. I would like to see each country in the world put their people first and make their own counties great again.

Is it possible that South American elections are resulting in more conservative governments because so many of their socialist supporting voters have moved to the USA?

Speaking of which, are there any statistics (or true facts, even better) about how many of those SA citizens are still voting in their country of origin while they are physically in the USA? Just wondering....

Thing is, democrats are going to get back in by hook or crook, and they’re completely lawless. They suck up to the cartels (criminals) and illegals or any bunch that wants to loot America. Every EO Trump signed will be rescinded.

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