Chile's election 'powerful example' for world, Biden tells president-elect Boric

[Judi Lynn]

Last edited Fri Dec 31, 2021, 09:00 PM - Edit history (1)

December 30, 2021
5:45 PM CST
Last Updated a day ago
Americas

Reuters
2 minute read



Chilean presidential candidate Gabriel Boric speaks during his closing campaign rally in Santiago, Chile, December 16, 2021. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido/File Photo

WASHINGTON, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Chile's free and fair elections set a "powerful example" for the region and the world, U.S. President Joe Biden told leftist leader Gabriel Boric, who won election this month as the country's youngest-ever democratically elected president.

Biden called Boric on Thursday to congratulate him and the two leaders discussed their shared commitment to social justice, democracy, human rights and inclusive growth, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.

The win marked another advance for Latin America's left, and bolstered talk of a new "pink tide" in the region, as raging poverty fanned by the coronavirus pandemic sways voters toward those who promise bigger government and higher social spending.

His rise - and the wider polarization of the vote - had rattled Chile's markets and spooked mining firms concerned about his rhetoric to "bury" the country's market-orientated economic model, push higher taxes and tighten environmental regulation.

More:
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/chiles-left-cheers-boric-win-ripples-through-latin-america-2021-12-20/

[Judi Lynn]

1. Biden congratulates Chilean president elect and both leaders agree on an agenda of issues to discuss

Friday, December 31st 2021 - 12:34 UTC

United States president Joe Biden on Thursday contacted Chilean president-elect Gabriel Boric to congratulate him on his electoral victory on 21 December and to talk about future collaboration and cooperation between the two countries.

Boric who is spending Christmas and New Year with his family in Punta Arenas made public the contact in twitter saying that “I have just received a call from the President of the United States, Joe Biden. Besides sharing the joy of our respective electoral triumphs we talked about common challenges such as fair trade, the climate crisis and strengthening democracy. We agreed to continue our discussions”

From Washington, a White House release stated that, “President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. called President-elect Gabriel Boric of Chile today to congratulate him on his election victory. The President applauded Chile’s free and fair elections as a powerful example to the region and the world”.

Further on “the two leaders discussed their shared commitment to social justice, democracy, human rights, and inclusive growth. President Biden underscored the importance of U.S.-Chile cooperation to promote a green and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to address the existential threat posed by climate change. On behalf of the United States, the President also offered his deep condolences to the people of Chile for the tragic death of Valentina Orellana-Peralta”, who was killed by a stray bullet during a police shootout.

More:
https://en.mercopress.com/2021/12/31/biden-congratulates-chilean-president-elect-and-both-leaders-agree-on-an-agenda-of-issues-to-discuss