In a significant diplomatic move, the United States Ambassador to Chile, Brandon Judd, held a meeting with the country's leftist presidential candidate, Jeannette Jara. The encounter, confirmed by the ambassador on Wednesday, comes amidst a period of notable strain in relations between the two nations.
A Meeting for Open Dialogue
Following the meeting, Ambassador Judd took to social media platform X to share his perspective. "After my meeting with presidential candidate Jeannette Jara, I'd like to share something simple: I value frank and respectful dialogue," he wrote. The diplomat emphasised that the US must maintain open channels with all democratic forces in Chile. He pointed to shared priorities like economic growth, security, and innovation as areas for strengthened cooperation.
This outreach follows a recent public spat that highlighted the fragile state of bilateral ties. Last month, Judd publicly criticised current Chilean President Gabriel Boric for his remarks about former US President Donald Trump. The ambassador labelled Boric's criticism as "disappointing," stating it showed how far the relationship "have fallen."
Background of Tensions and Protest
The Chilean government's response to the ambassador's earlier comments was swift and firm. Within 24 hours, Chile's Foreign Affairs Ministry delivered a formal note of protest, characterising Judd's statements as "inappropriate and unfortunate." This exchange set the stage for the ambassador's current efforts to engage with candidates ahead of the presidential transition.
Jeannette Jara, a lifelong member of the Chilean Communist Party, served as the Labour Minister in President Boric's leftist administration. Despite her political leanings, she has expressed a pragmatic approach to international relations. In a November interview, Jara stated that if elected, she would work for strong diplomatic ties with the US under Trump. "Although I don't like Trump at all, the truth is that the American people elected him," Jara said, adding, "I am respectful of that."
Looking Ahead to the Runoff
In a separate post on X earlier in the week, Ambassador Judd reiterated his commitment to transparency with the press and cooperation with Chile's future leadership. He wrote that he would work with whoever emerges victorious in the upcoming December 14 presidential runoff. However, he also issued a pointed reminder: "The current government's criticism of the President of the United States has a cost for the bilateral relationship and for the Chilean people."
President Gabriel Boric is set to leave office in March 2026. The race to succeed him is between leftist candidate Jeannette Jara and her ultra-conservative opponent, José Antonio Kast. The meeting between the US envoy and Jara signals an attempt to stabilise relations regardless of the electoral outcome, underscoring the complex interplay between domestic politics and international diplomacy.
