Right-wing governments dominate countries worth US$2.2 billion, which is equivalent to 45.4% of continental GDP
With the imminent victory of Keiko Fujimori (Fuerza Popular) in Peru and the election of Abelardo de la Espriella (Defensores de la Patria) in Colombia, the right has advanced in South America and will govern 7 countries on the continent. However, left-wing heads of government govern the countries responsible for 54.6% of the continent’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product), totaling US$2.4 billion.
Right-wing governments, in turn, dominate countries that add up US$2.2 billionwhich is equivalent to 45.4% of continental GDP.
Countries governed by the right are also at a population disadvantage: combined, they have 191.7 million inhabitants. Brazil alone has an 11% larger population, 212.8 million people. In addition to other countries, the left governs 246.4 million South Americans.
Right turn
The shift to the right was consolidated after the victories of Javier Milei (La Libertad Avanza) in Argentina, Daniel Noboa (Acción Democrática Nacional) in Ecuador, Rodrigo Paz (Christian Democratic Party) in Bolivia and José Antonio Kast in Chile. This advance reduced the group of government allies of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).
Until September 2025, only Argentina, Paraguay and Ecuador had right-wing governments. The relationship began to change with the elections held at the end of the year, with Paraguay being the only recent exception to the change in political spectrum, remaining under right-wing management from 2015 to 2025.
The movement represents a reversal of the panorama of 11 years ago.
At the end of 2015, left and center-left parties commanded 8 South American countries. The right-wing and center-right parties were in power in another 4.
Recent elections in Peru and Colombia helped boost the shift to the right at a continental level. On Wednesday (June 24), Keiko Fujimori achieved an irreversible advantage over the left-wing candidate, Roberto Sánchez, after 17 days of counting the ballots.
Since 2016, Peru has had 8 presidents. During this period, 4 were removed from office by Congress, 2 resigned before facing impeachment proceedings, and 1 completed an interim term of just 8 months.
On Sunday (June 21), Abelardo de la Espriella won Colombia’s presidential elections. He has explicit support from the United States government, as do Milei, Paz and Kast.
WEIGHT OF BRAZIL
Brazil is the main GDP in South America, directly influencing the economic and population balance of the left on the continent. In 2025, it recorded a consolidated sum in current prices of US$2.28 trillion. The value is more than 230% bigger than Argentina, which has the 2nd largest amount.
In the event of a right-wing victory in the Planalto elections, leaders from this political spectrum would dominate more than 95% of South America’s GDP.
Source: https://www.poder360.com.br/poder-economia/direita-avanca-na-america-do-sul-mas-esquerda-governa-55-do-pib/
