Barros i Pérez Mackenna predvode poslovni susret i promovišu pro-investicijsku agendu u New Yorku

The approval rating of Chile's President José Antonio Kast has declined significantly according to recent surveys conducted by the polling firm Criteria. In its latest measurement, Kast’s approval stands at 35%, marking a four-point drop from the previous survey where his support was recorded at 39%. Concurrently, the disapproval rate has risen to 53%, up two points from the earlier reading of 51%. This decline reflects growing dissatisfaction among the public with the government's performance.

The survey also highlights deteriorating economic conditions as perceived by citizens. Fifty-two percent of respondents believe the country's economy has worsened over the past six months, compared to just 10% who think it has improved. This perception extends to personal and professional situations, with 43% stating their household's financial condition has deteriorated, and 57% finding it more difficult to secure or improve employment opportunities. These findings indicate a broad sense of economic unease across multiple sectors of society.

Public priorities have shifted slightly but remain focused on security, which continues to be the top concern for citizens, with 31% identifying it as their primary issue. This represents a slight increase from March when the figure stood at 28%. Generating more jobs and better wages now ranks second, rising from 8% in March to 16% in July. Other concerns include revitalizing the economy and improving healthcare services, though these receive less emphasis than security and employment issues.

In terms of legislative evaluation, several senators have been noted for their positive ratings. Juan Luis Castro leads with 69% of mentions categorized as "positive" or "very positive," followed by Cristián Vial at 64% and Alejandra Sepúlveda at 63%. On the lower end of the spectrum, Javier Macaya receives only 37% and Camila Flores a mere 21%. The combined assessment of political figures based on both recognition and positive image shows that mayors hold prominent positions, with Tomás Vodanovic leading the rankings, followed by Sebastián Sichel, Macarena Ripamonti, and Mario Desbordes.

Meanwhile, another poll by Cadem indicates that Kast's approval rating has fallen to 38%, while 69% of respondents believe that having military personnel on the streets would enhance the feeling of safety. This suggests that despite the president's declining popularity, there remains a significant portion of the population that supports the idea of increased military presence for security reasons.

In a separate development, Chile's Minister of Defense, Fernando Barros, and Foreign Affairs Minister, Francisco Pérez Mackenna, participated in a business forum aboard the naval training ship "Esmeralda" during the Sail 4th 250 regatta commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence. The event aimed to promote Chile as an attractive destination for investment and strengthen economic ties between Chile and the United States. Barros emphasized the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two nations, highlighting Chile's stability as a foundation for new economic and technological projects. He mentioned that the government under President Kast has implemented legal measures to make Chile more appealing for foreign investment by reducing corporate tax burdens and removing administrative barriers that hindered foreign capital inflows and discouraged local reinvestment.

Pérez Mackenna encouraged businesses to choose Chile for their ventures, emphasizing the country's prosperity, stability, confidence, and clear regulations. The event also featured the deployment of the "Dama Blanca" as a traveling national ambassador, alongside other authorities such as the Chief of the Navy, Ambassador Andrés Ergas Heymann, and Permanent Representative to the UN, Roberto Ampuero. This initiative underscores Chile's efforts to bolster international partnerships and attract global investment amid domestic challenges.