Despite the polls, a centrist could win Colombia’s election in May
Undecided voters may shun Gustavo Petro, a populist of the left
SEVERAL RECENT elections in Latin America have seen the collapse, or at least the defeat, of the moderate centre. It was true of Chile’s presidential election last month, of Peru’s earlier this year and of those in Brazil and Colombia in 2018. Will it be true of the next big election in the region, in Colombia in May? There are reasons to think that, in this case, a victory for the centre would not just be especially beneficial, but also that it might come about.
This article appeared in the The Americas section of the print edition under the headline “Between hope and experience”
More from The Americas
Canada and America have been fighting about timber for 40 years
As Donald Trump takes office, the chances of a lumber deal look slim
Justin Trudeau steps down, leaving a wrecked party and a divided Canada
Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland are among those tipped as the next Liberal leader
Does made in Mexico mean made by China?
Donald Trump believes Mexico is a trojan horse for Chinese mercantilism
Failure to prepare for climate change is costing Honduras dear
Weeks after the most recent storm, the country is still in emergency mode
Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro looks set to take the throne
Relying on a fabricated election victory, the incumbent will be sworn in again
Why Spanish firms have cooled towards Latin America
Slow growth and messy politics are largely to blame