Of the 12 countries in South America, 9 will have leftist governments in 2023; Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay have rightwing leaders
With the victory of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) in Brazil’s presidential election against Jair Bolsonaro (PL), 9 of the 12 countries in South America will be led by leftwing governments as of 2023 % of South America’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
According to the World Bank, in current values, the countries ruled by the left in 2023 have $3 trillion in regional production in 2021. $5 billion over the same period.
The first country to elect a leftist ruler in this new wave was Argentina. In 2019, Alberto Fernández won the elections, defeating rightwing candidate and then President Mauricio Macri.
At that time there were 6 countries with rightwing leaders in South America. These nations were also responsible for 93% of South American product that year. In current values, it was equivalent to US$3.2 trillion.
Brazil has the largest GDP in the South American continent. It contributed 54.8% to regional production in 2019 and 50.1% in 2021. In current values, the collection was worth US$1.6 trillion and US$1.9 trillion, respectively.
Argentina is the second largest producing country in South America. In 2019, the country was responsible for 13.3% of South American production, in 2021 for 15.3%. The rates are $452.8 billion and $491.5 billion, respectively, at current values.
In 2019, Colombia was the third largest regional producer. It contributed 9.5% to South American GDP. In current values, it amounted to 323.1 billion US dollars.
In 2021, the third largest GDP was registered in Chile. The country was responsible for nearly 10% of regional production, equivalent to $317.1 billion.
Venezuela has not released regular data on domestic production since 2014. Therefore, the country was not included in the survey power 360.
According to projections by the IMF (International Monetary Fund), the country generated 148.5 billion US dollars in 2021. Venezuela has been ruled by the left since 1998, when Hugo Chávez took over the presidency.
This report was prepared by journalist intern Júlia Mano under the supervision of editor Victor Labaki.
correction
11/02/2022 (5:03 p.m.) Contrary to what was published in the infographic of this article, Bolsonaro is not classified as a leftwing president, but as a rightwing president. The infographic has been updated and replaced.