Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile, has expressed her interest in becoming the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. Bachelet has a centrist profile and extensive diplomatic experience, having held positions in the UN and the Ibero-American General Secretariat in the past.
During a forum in New York for the 30th anniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women, Bachelet confirmed her intention to run. Close sources have indicated that Mexico will officially support her candidacy in the second half of this year, and it is said that she has the approval of the United States.
It is expected that with Mexico and the United States supporting Bachelet's candidacy, several Central American and Caribbean countries, as well as leaders close to Donald Trump, will join in. Additionally, it is highlighted that the former Chilean president maintains a good relationship with Russia, which aligns with the new international approach proposed by Washington.
If elected, Michelle Bachelet would be the first woman to lead the UN. To date, the organization has never had a woman at the helm and only one Latin American, Javier Pérez de Cuéllar. Bachelet seeks to gain the support of influential figures in the region, such as Lula da Silva, to strengthen her candidacy.
It is important to note that Bachelet's candidacy negotiation will coincide with the elections in Brazil, where it is still unknown if Lula da Silva will seek re-election. However, Bachelet's intention has support in Africa and Latin America, which could generate significant backing in the UN.
Michelle Bachelet's candidacy represents an important step toward having a woman at the head of the UN, a position that will open up with the conclusion of Antonio Guterres' second term on December 31, 2026.
