Chile’s Bachelet quits race to be next UN chief

Chile's former President Michelle Bachelet announced on Saturday that she would withdraw her candidacy for the United Nations secretary-general position. This came after a straw poll placed her in eighth and final position among eight candidates. Bachelet, Chile's first female leader, posted a video statement on her social media accounts, explaining her decision.

She acknowledged that the timing may not have been ideal for her candidacy but expressed no regret for having taken on the challenge. Bachelet's withdrawal aimed to highlight the need for a Latin American woman to lead the UN, a role that had not been held by a woman in the organization's 80-year history. Her candidacy gained momentum after being nominated by the administration of former Chilean President Gabriel Boric and supported by leftist leaders from Mexico and Brazil.

However, Bachelet's candidacy faltered when Chile's new right-wing President Jose Antonio Kast withdrew his support. Bachelet's decision leaves four women and three men competing to succeed current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose five-year term ends on December 31.