2023 was a year full of influential political news in Latin America.
The region has elected several new governments, with Brazil's Lula da Silva returning to power, the end of Argentina's socialist rule, growing persecution of Christians in Nicaragua, and President Joe Biden's The favor gave Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro a major victory, and Colombia figured out what would happen. For the first time in history, we elected a far-left president.
Some stories were notable for their political implications, while others stood out as outlandish or just plain weird in a sea of ”normal” news. Here are some of Latin America's weirdest moments in 2023.
Argentine presidential election coverage
Argentina's 2023 general election and the victory of liberal economist Javier Millay shocked many – more Argentines left the country than anyone else.Millais' victory immediately sparked a wave of leftists. meltdown.
After the election, Milley is still in the first month of his four-year presidential term. apply This is the “shock therapy” he promised for Argentina's severely damaged economy. Argentine journalists scrambled to catch up on the drama of the past year, producing some great moments that may be commonplace for Argentines but certainly not for many other citizens.
During the first round of presidential election voting in October, television stations Chronica Added to its stable of political commentators is a man identified as the “Peronist Joker.”
“Peronism” is an ambiguous term that covers a wide range of areas of Argentine establishment politics, but today it is most closely identified with the socialist elite. While the “Peronist Joker” shared his left-wing ideals and disdain for right-wing politicians at Millais' campaign rally; Chronica interviewed “Batman'' accompanied by “Spider-Man,'' but he refused to reveal who he voted for as a “Bat secret.''
The results of the first round of presidential elections caused complete confusion. reshuffle Argentina's election chessboard. To illustrate that, local news channel La Nacion decided to use superhero toys to visually illustrate who was on which side of the “battle.”
Millay's inauguration ceremony in December drew crowds of people to the streets of Buenos Aires to celebrate Argentina's first liberal president.Some of the men and women who participated Selected wear the costume of ~'s iconic character dragon ball zZoro series, Japanese anime Chainsaw Man.
On the left, the Argentinian “Swifties” tried: weaponize A showdown between American pop star Taylor Swift and Miley. Similarly, left-wing fans of South Korean boy group BTS say,cancelVice President Victoria Villarrel criticized past Twitter posts mocking the band.
Chili Kiddie Slide 1 – Borick – 0
In May, Chile's far-left president Gabriel Boric was walking in a playground with his partner when he tried to slide down an enclosed children's tube slide. As a result, he became incapacitated and the video of the incident was spread to all of us.
Borich managed to escape from the slide, cutting off part of it in the process. In addition to the viral video, the incident left behind just 3,000 Chilean pesos ($3.39). repair Bills to affected municipalities.
The Chilean left's attempt to amend the constitution is a huge failure.
Chile has been locked in a four-year process to reform its constitution since 2019, when left-wing mobs burned parts of the capital over increases in public transport fares.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric (Republican) receives the text of the new constitution from Constitutional Council President Beatriz Hevia during the closing ceremony of the constitutional process held at the Hall of Honor of the National Assembly in Santiago on November 7, 2023. . November 7, 2023 (Pablo VERA / AFP via Getty)
The first attempt resulted in a far-left constitution, but a mandatory referendum in 2022 failed. The left tried again in 2023, holding elections for a new Constituent Assembly body, only for the process to completely backfire on the voters' choice. Most conservative drafters.
The process was finally concluded in December after conservative constitutional proposals. We're screwed pass. The left was forced to vote to replace the constitution with a conservative one or keep the one that destroyed the country in the first place.
Gustavo Petro's Twitter rant against Israel
Colombia's far-left President Gustavo Petro unleashed a series of offensive posts on Twitter, apparently without the supervision of senior advisers, sparking international trouble with Israel towards the end of the year. Petro is a former member of the Marxist guerrilla group M19 and has made numerous accusations against Israel. compare Blackmailed Nazi Germany by giving it to them. cut Diplomatic relations were restored after Israel began self-defense operations on October 7. On that day, terrorists affiliated with the genocidal organization Hamas invaded Israel, killing 1,200 people, abducting 250 others, and committing a wide variety of atrocities, including mass slaughter of its people. Children, gang rape, torture. Peter's response to the terrorist attack was to blame Israel.
The relationship of the suspenders to Israel is made to the suspenders of Israel. There is no Apoyamos Genosidius.
Al presidente de colombia no sere le insulta.
Calling for solidarity between America Lartina and the real Colombia. Y si no es capaz, será el desarrollo de la historia la que dirá la última… https://t.co/WpafrsWkC2
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) October 15, 2023
Petro's continued abuse almost single-handedly destroyed decades of friendship between the two countries.
'Super Mustache' Nicolas Maduro launches career as podcast, Tiktok influencer
Venezuelan socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro is not only the leader of a socialist tyranny, but also a superhero, TikTok influencer, and star of his own TV show and podcast.
President Maduro's superhero alter ego super bigot (“Super Mustache”) official salsa theme debuts song February and the state of emergency hotline In May.
Socialist rip-offs of Superman, or rather dolls made in his likeness, have proven to be dangerous. situation In April, during the local community's Burning of Judah festival, part of the country's Holy Week, the cooperation of regime police was needed to save the country from a fiery end.
Maduro also kicked TikTok influencers career It has been in overdrive throughout the year, producing a steady stream of content for Chinese social media platforms, give instructions Top officials in his administration open their own accounts.
@nicolasmadurom Lego El Viernes Venezuela! #Esvierne Silk El Porosabe #NicolasMadurom #Venezuela
Drug trafficker uses long-lost Augusto Pinochet gun in police shootout (yes, 2013)
Once owned by Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, the .380 Pietro Beretta was a surprising star. Gunfight In May, 16 years after Pinochet's death, a clash between Chilean police and drug traffickers took place.
Pistola in Pinochet, Chile is located on the Chilean coast.
Narco Poltava 15 years ago. pic.twitter.com/DuCgmyd0YA— Iker Jimenez (@navedelmisterio) May 15, 2023
The firearm was reported missing in 2014 and turned up nine years later in the possession of a 15-year-old drug dealer who dumped it on the patio of a home in an attempt to flee from police.
The incident marks a new chapter in Chile's failed attempts to enforce gun control since the 1970s.
Nelson Mandela Police Detention Center in Venezuela
The socialist Maduro government has no irony; It was opened The new detention center, opened in June, is named after the late South African president Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for protesting the country's apartheid system in a small cell without a bed or plumbing.
Maduro's government has not spoken publicly about the matter since the first inspection, and its debut was met with international revulsion.
Christian K. Caruso is a Venezuelan writer who chronicles life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter here.
