A week before the presidential runoff in Chile, Michelle Bachelet arrived in the country in her role as High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations (UN).
Because of her position at the UN, the former president cannot explicitly provide support for a presidential standard-bearer. However, it is worth mentioning that since the Horizonte Ciudadano foundation, raised by her in 2018, they expressed their support and willingness to participate in the candidacy of Gabriel Boric, the letter of Apruebo Dignidad a La Moneda.
For having arrived from abroad, the former president had to take a PCR exam and go directly into isolation pending the result.
Bachelet quickly took a vehicle to go to her home in the commune of La Reina, avoiding the press and people waiting for her at the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport.
Bachelet has no plans to carry out public activities and it was confirmed that she will maintain privacy with her family, with whom she will spend the end of the year holidays.
It is possible that the former president will go to vote on December 19, since despite living abroad, for her position at the UN, Bachelet remains registered to vote in Chile, according to data from the Electoral Service.
Last night a photograph of her on the flight that brought her to the country circulated on social networks and there was speculation about possible support for the candidate of Apruebo Dignidad, Gabriel Boric.
They don’t believe me??? @gabrielboric’s where we go!!! pic.twitter.com/gIVnF3bHQP
— 🐭🌳 (@patitulindu) December 11, 2021
One of the first to react was the presidential standard-bearer of the Christian Social Front, José Antonio Kast, upon Bachelet’s arrival.
“Because of the international position he holds, I think he should not, in my opinion, mix in contingent politics,” said the Republican Party militant, after a campaign activity with the Children’s Football Club of the Hipódromo Chile, the mayor of La Reina, José Manuel Palacios, and deputy Sebastián Keitel.
Kast said that “because of his high investiture it is not appropriate for him to enter the contingency, and if he did, he would lead us to debate what his government was.” And he assured that “we have to stay with the image that Bachelet represents at the international level and must ensure the Human Rights of countries such as Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba.”
Giorgio Jackson said on Channel 13 that “I have no history being a political coordinator that there will be a meeting, therefore, that expectation would not open it in this space,” in front of a possible meeting between Boric and Bachelet. “He maintains contact with the close circle, in particular with the foundation,” he added.
