2013: A year of change in Latin America

Carolina Sarres
Reporter from Agência Brasil

Brasilia – The year 2013 in South America was marked by elections in Chile and Paraguay, an economic crisis in Argentina, the death of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela, and the approval of controversial laws in Uruguay.

Argentina experienced economic instability in 2013, especially in the exchange rate area, which intensified public dissatisfaction with Cristina Kirchner's presidency – precisely in the year that...Kirchnerism It has been a decade. At the beginning of the year, the government announced measures to contain the dollar market in the country, due to the deterioration of... Argentine exchange rateIn March, the US dollar was worth 8,45 pesos, which made the dollar quote The parallel market is soaring. The crisis, among other structural factors, is related to the population's lack of confidence in the banking system and the fear of inflation – which has been intensely affecting the country since the 1970s.

The economic crisis has increased criticism of Cristina's government, which has also had to submit to a brain surgery in September due to edema. The president's health situation generated instability and political insecurity, especially since it occurred shortly before... legislative elections in the country, which would define support for the government in the 2015 presidential elections. The situation lost power, but maintained control of Congress.

Meanwhile, Argentine public opinion discussed the Audiovisual Media LawThe law, deemed constitutional by the country's Supreme Court, was passed in 2009 and regulates media monopolies. Since then, Grupo Clarín, the main opposition group to the Kirchner government, has challenged the law in court. The group held more concessions in the sector than permitted by the law in question.

In Chile, two women competed in the 2013 presidential elections, which ended with the victory of the former president. Michelle Bachelet, who governed from 2006 to 2010. She was elected with 63% of the vote to replace the current president, Sebastián Piñera.

The biggest challenge for Bachelet's government will be implementing the measures promised during her campaign, among which is the reform of the Constitution. The president-elect has a majority in Congress, but will have to negotiate with the opposition to secure the two-thirds majority needed to amend the Constitution – which limits the State's role in the economy and hinders tax reforms that would enable the financing of social reforms.

In Uruguay, the highlight of 2013 was President José "Pepe" Mujica himself, known for his simplicity and approach to controversial topics – which earned the country the title of the... more liberal of South America. During his administration, laws were passed regarding homosexual union, decriminalization of abortion up to the 12th week of gestation and the legalization of marijuana.

Uruguay was chosen by the British magazine. The Economist, The country of the year, which highlighted the role of Pepe Mujica. The country also participated in 2013 in... peace process in Colombia and emphasized the benefits of integration on the continent. In December, Mujica offered the southeastern Uruguayan coast to Paraguayans and Bolivians for trade – South American countries without access to the sea. According to him, the objective of the measure is to strengthen Mercosur.

In Paraguay, after the episode of impeachment by President Fernando Lugo, in June 2012, Horacio Cartes He was elected in April of this year with the oversight of observers from the Organization of American States (OAS) and enabled the country's full return to Mercosur. Paraguay had been suspended from the block since June of last year, after member countries - including Brazil - questioned the fairness of the process of impeachment and considered it a breach of the constitutional regime in the country.

The country's full return to the bloc occurred after the Paraguayan Senate approved the Venezuela's accession to Mercosur - which had been done by the other members during the period when Paraguay was suspended, which created an obstacle. The project for Venezuelan acceptance into the bloc had been stalled in the Paraguayan Congress since Lugo's administration, which prevented its approval due to opposition from parliamentarians opposed to the government.

In 2013, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) announced a period of stop fireunilateral and resumed dialogue with the government through end of the armed conflict in the country. The expectation is that the parties will find a way to guarantee the participation of the FARC in Colombian politics.

In Venezuela, the highlights of the year were the death of Hugo Chávez in March and the election of Nicolás Maduro in April. In 2013, in addition to the political opposition and difficulties in the economic field, the Maduro's government It faces high inflation – which has accumulated to over 50% this year – food shortages, and monetary speculation.