Latin America sees surge of far‑right presidential wins (2023‑2026)

Between 2023 and 2026, 16 presidential elections were held across Latin America. Far‑right candidates won 13 of those contests, including the last seven consecutive victories that followed the start of Donald Trump's second U.S. term.

The pattern was highlighted in an analysis by Eduardo Lucita of the Economists of the Left (EDI). Lucita links the trend to the U.S. National Security Strategy released in November 2025, arguing that Washington aims to curb Chinese influence and secure strategic resources, with the new governments serving that objective.

According to the analysis, the elected administrations have pursued deregulation of capital flows, cuts to education and health spending, reductions in labor protections, and policies that encroach on indigenous territories. The author warns that these changes could have lasting structural and political consequences for the region.