Falklands are British (68%) and Argentina is not trustworthy (60%), Chilean public opinion
A Chilean public opinión poll on perception of bilateral relations with Argentina cast light on Javier Milei’s recent meeting in Santiago with his counterpart Jose Antonio Kast, and the controversies generated by some Argentine military officials remarks on the Magellan Strait sovereignty plus some other latent ambitions.
A recent Chilean public opinion poll revealed that 68% of Chileans believe the Falkland Islands, also known as the Malvinas, belong to the British, despite Chile's official policy. Additionally, 60% of Chileans think Argentina is not a trustworthy neighbor due to its longstanding territorial claims. During a meeting with Argentine counterpart Jose Antonio Kast in Santiago, Chilean President Javier Milei vehemently defended Chile's military coup of 1973 and labeled left-wing critics as "filthy lefties," with 57% of Chileans perceiving this as a serious lack of respect for Chilean politics.
Furthermore, 69% of Chileans believe Argentina has territorial ambitions in the Magellan Strait, while 24% think Argentina respects Chilean sovereignty. When it comes to a recent Argentine decree on shared sovereignty of the Magellan Strait, 54% of Chileans think President Kast should demand Milei to revoke the decree, while 37% believe the bilateral declaration following the meeting between the two leaders was sufficient.
Chile's support for Argentina's sovereignty claims over the Falklands is officially recognized by 68% of Chileans, while 17% believe the islands are Argentine and 15% have no opinion. Chileans also showed a strong preference for strengthening relationships with various countries, including Japan, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as increasing trade ties with China, Latin America, and the United States.
Written by urgent.news from MercoPress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
