Chile Withdraws Support for Bachelet's UN Bid

SANTIAGO, Chile — Chile's government withdrew its support Tuesday for former President Michelle Bachelet's candidacy to become the next United Nations secretary-general, citing the fragmented field of Latin American contenders and tensions with key international players, though Bachelet vowed to press ahead with backing from Mexico and Brazil.

The decision, announced by Chile's Foreign Ministry, ends promotional efforts by Chilean embassies worldwide. "We have concluded that the current context of this election, the fragmentation of candidacies from Latin American countries and differences with some of the relevant actors who define this process make this candidacy unviable," the ministry stated. Officials emphasized that if Bachelet continues her bid, Chile will abstain from endorsing any rival candidates, a gesture to her distinguished career.

Bachelet's nomination was formalized in February by the outgoing administration of President Gabriel Boric, in coordination with the governments of Mexico and Brazil, just before the inauguration of conservative President José Antonio Kast earlier this month. The 74-year-old Bachelet, who served two terms as Chile's first female...