Survey: Jorge Macri placed fifth in the ranking of Latin American intendants

A recent survey conducted by the consulting firm CB Global Data has ranked Jorge Macri, the mayor of Buenos Aires, fifth among the mayors of Latin America's major cities. The survey, released in July 2026, assessed the public image of mayors in the region’s leading urban centers. According to the findings, Carolina Mejía, the mayor of Santo Domingo, retained her top position with a positive rating of 57.2 percent. Meanwhile, Macri secured the fifth spot with a 46.1 percent approval rating, marking an improvement from his June measurement of 44.3 percent. The survey highlights the varying levels of public support among Latin American mayors. In second place was Mario Durán, the mayor of San Salvador, who received 51.8 percent approval. A leader of Nuevas Ideas, the party founded by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Durán saw the highest increase in his approval rating compared to the previous month, rising by 2.5 percentage points. This growth placed him as one of the fastest-improving mayors in the region. Third on the list was Mayer Mizrachi, the mayor of Panama City, with 50.7 percent public approval. An independent politician who took office after the 2024 municipal elections, Mizrachi stands out as one of the few mayors in the region whose approval ratings exceed 50 percent. Fourth place went to Clara Brugada, the head of government in Mexico City, who earned 49.3 percent support. Brugada assumed leadership following the 2024 elections and is considered a key political ally of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Macri, representing the PRO party, continues to hold a prominent position within the political space established by former President Mauricio Macri. Despite the rise of La Libertad Avanza in national politics, Buenos Aires remains his primary electoral stronghold. His current approval rating reflects a steady upward trend since early 2026, indicating continued public confidence in his governance despite broader political shifts. At the lower end of the rankings were several mayors facing significant challenges in maintaining public trust. César Dockweiler, the mayor of La Paz, recorded the lowest approval rating at 20.9 percent, placing him last in the survey. Identified with Bolivia’s ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS), Dockweiler took office after the 2025 local elections and struggles with low public support. Just above Dockweiler was Luis Bello, the mayor of Asuncion, with 21.2 percent approval. Bello, a Paraguayan politician, ranks near the bottom of the regional standings, reflecting some of the lowest levels of citizen backing in the area. The third-worst performance belonged to Carmen Meléndez, the mayor of Caracas, who achieved 22.7 percent public approval. A former minister in the Venezuelan government and a close associate of President Nicolás Maduro, Meléndez leads the capital under the governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). Her approval rating dropped significantly from the previous measurement, declining by 2.6 percentage points, which marks the largest decline among surveyed mayors. The survey underscores the diverse political landscapes across Latin America, highlighting both leaders with strong public support and those grappling with significant challenges in their roles. While some mayors have managed to secure robust approval ratings, others face considerable difficulties in maintaining public confidence. These results reflect the complex dynamics of urban governance and public perception across the continent.