Bachelet and Boric Jointly Reject Chile's Adhesion to Escudo de las Américas in Unprecedented Ex-Presidents' Statement

Former presidents Michelle Bachelet and Gabriel Boric issued a joint public declaration on September 25 rejecting Chile's adhesion to the Escudo de las Américas and asking Kast to reconsider. They argued Chilean foreign policy has historically rested on defense of sovereignty and autonomy, respect for international law and human rights, and that cooperation against organized crime must not subordinate Chile's foreign, security or defense policy to a foreign power's priorities. Analysts and coalition officials described it as the first time since the 1990 return to democracy that two former presidents have jointly signed a declaration questioning a sitting government's foreign-policy decision, calling it an unprecedented break with diplomatic tradition.