LatAm’s unpopular leaders, Region’s presidents struggle with low approval

Buenos Aires Herald ^ | September 24, 2013 | By Patricio Navia

[Oldeconomybuyer]

As a continent that has enjoyed rapid economic growth for over a decade, Latin America is experiencing a wave of popular dissatisfaction.

Street protests and manifestations have sporadically arisen in different countries in recent months. Discontent is also being voiced in low presidential approval. As people perceive that their countries are doing well but progress is not trickling down, they punish their nations’ presidents.

Though domestic politics explain why different presidents are struggling with their popularity, there are also some common trends in the region. People are showing signs of dissatisfaction and anxiety. As they see the economy in their countries making progress, they also feel being left out of the benefits of economic growth.

Because they have won elections on platforms that promise social inclusion, redistribution and reductions in inequality, presidents are becoming the depositories of discontent and the targets of dissatisfaction. People in Latin America see the economic progress but rightly perceive that they are not benefiting from the good economic times.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

We ARE a banana republic.

[Viennacon]

So the average American is dumber than your average South American. Obama’s approval still high.

[Youngman542012]

I live in Colombia and under President Uribe we were growing Capitalists..now we are turning Socialist under President Santos...sorry to say...People just don´t like to work...its easier to get it for free...true in the USA as well as here in Colombia..

[trubolotta]

Export-driven economic growth has provided governments with additional revenues to fund social programmes that have lifted millions out of poverty.

This theme appears throughout the article, basically the expectation that government should end poverty. Buying votes with empty promises is no respecter of language or borders and those who make the promises always seem to do very well, for themselves.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Latin American voters in the last decade by and large voted for Socialism. They are getting grumbly because those regimes have not been Socialist enough to suit them.

[rrrod]

Interesting. Colombia, which is very Pro USA and is an economic boom. Pres Santos is in a tough spot.....he is being pressured to be nice to FARC from people in high places. Guess who?

I could say a lot more but cant.