In a coordinated movement, the three Latin American countries present the former Chilean president as the first female candidate for the top position of the United Nations in eight decades of history
The governments of Brazil, Mexico and Chile formally presented this Monday (2) the candidacy of Michelle Bachelet for the position of secretary-general of the United Nations.
The former president of Chile seeks to succeed António Guterres, whose term ends on December 31, 2026.
In the joint statement, the three countries highlighted that the candidacy “reflects the shared will of our countries to actively contribute to strengthening the multilateral system”.
Governments emphasize proven experience in conducting complex political processes, recognized ability to facilitate dialogue, historical commitment to UN fundamental values, international legitimacy and vocation for public service.
Historic electoral process
According to the United Nations website, this is the first election for the position in its 80-year history.
The formal process began with a joint letter from the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council, inviting the 193 Member States to submit candidacies.
If elected, Bachelet will succeed António Guterres, whose term ends on December 31, 2026, and will become the first female secretary-general to hold the organization’s top position.
Bachelet’s trajectory gives unique weight to her candidacy. She has high-level experience within the United Nations system itself, having served as High Commissioner for Human Rights between 2018 and 2022 and as the first Executive Director of UN Women, from 2010 to 2013.
Her national political resume is equally robust: twice president of Chile (2006-2010 and 2014-2018), she also commanded the Defense and Health portfolios in her country, demonstrating versatility in critical areas.
Rising geopolitical tensions
The candidacy emerges in a geopolitical context of reconfiguration of multilateralism, marked by recent events such as the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization, growing international tensions, urgent global challenges such as climate change and regional conflicts, and pressure for more balanced representation in global leadership.
Latin America has not occupied the general secretariat since the Peruvian Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (1982-1991), and the region’s last significant candidacy was that of Christiana Figueres, from Costa Rica, in 2016.
Although an informal regional rotation suggests that the turn would be for a representative from Eastern Europe — a region that has never held the position —, there is no formal rule that prevents candidates from other areas, opening space for this Latin American initiative.
The election will take place amid broad debates about the need to reform the Security Council and the structure of the United Nations itself, with growing calls for greater transparency, effectiveness and gender equity in global governance.
Bachelet’s appointment therefore represents not only a leadership proposal, but a strategic positioning of Latin America in this changing scenario.
Read the joint note:
“The governments of Brazil, Chile and Mexico formalized the defense of Michele Bachelet’s name to assume the position of secretary general of the United Nations.
On February 2, 2026, the governments of Chile, Brazil and Mexico formally presented to the United Nations the candidacy of Mrs. Michelle Bachelet Jeria for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. The former President of Chile held high-level roles in the multilateral system, such as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Executive Director of UN Women.
This candidacy reflects the shared desire of our countries to actively contribute to strengthening the multilateral system and to promote leadership capable of responding to current challenges. Former President Bachelet’s extensive experience in leading complex political processes, her recognized ability to facilitate dialogue and her commitment to the fundamental values of the United Nations constitute a substantive contribution to moving towards a more effective, representative and people-oriented Organization.
Michelle Bachelet’s postulation represents an opportunity to provide the UN with leadership with proven experience, international legitimacy and a vocation for public service. We endorse this candidacy with the conviction that your leadership will contribute to the full fulfillment of the purposes and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
In an international scenario of great complexity, the United Nations continues to be the main space for dialogue and the construction of collective solutions in matters of international peace and security, sustainable development, promotion and protection of human rights and action to reverse climate change. We reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism as a fundamental pillar for global governance based on international cooperation and respect for the self-determination of peoples.”
With information from the Gov Agency on 02/02/2026le
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2026/02/02/brasil-mexico-e-chile-formalizam-candidatura-de-michelle-bachelet-a-lideranca-da-onu/
