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The powerful women presidents of Latin America
Latin America has seen a number of female leaders throughout its history. As of now, there have been 13 female presidents in this region, and this number is set to rise to 14 with Claudia Sheinbaum’s recent victory in Mexico’s election, marking the first time a woman will govern Mexico. Here’s a look at the women who have led their countries in Latin America.
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Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, Nicaragua
Elected in 1990, Violeta Barrios de Chamorro was the first woman in Latin America to be directly elected as president. Her administration worked to reverse many policies from the Sandinista period, focusing on privatization and economic stabilization. Chamorro’s leadership helped transition Nicaragua from a period of conflict to one of peace and democratic governance, and her presidency was crucial in reducing the size of the military and promoting national reconciliation after years of civil unrest.
Mireya Moscoso, Panama
Mireya Moscoso became Panama’s first female president in 1999. She led the country during the significant event of transferring control of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama in 1999, and her presidency focused on social programs and efforts to reduce poverty. However, her term was also marked by allegations of corruption and economic challenges.
Michelle Bachelet, Chile
Michelle Bachelet, a former pediatrician who served as the Minister of Health and Defense, was elected as Chile’s president in 2006 and again in 2014. Her first term focused on social reforms and handling the 2008 global financial crisis, which included implementing social protection measures. During her second term, she introduced significant educational and tax reforms. Bachelet also faced massive student protests demanding changes in the educational system and miner strikes.
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Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Argentina
Cristina became Argentina’s president in 2007 and was re-elected in 2011. During her time in office, she focused on policies to boost the economy and faced significant opposition and strikes. Her administration was marked by efforts to restructure the national debt and tackle economic crises. However, she was also entangled in corruption scandals that overshadowed her presidency. Before becoming president, she was a congresswoman for the Justicialista Party and First Lady to Néstor Kirchner.
Laura Chinchilla, Costa Rica
Laura Chinchilla served as vice president and Minister of Justice before winning the elections in 2010 and becoming Costa Rica’s first female president. During her term, she dealt with a territorial dispute with Nicaragua that ended in the International Court of Justice. Chinchilla prioritized security issues and economic stability during her term. Despite facing criticism for not implementing major reforms, she maintained Costa Rica’s reputation as a stable democracy.
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Dilma Rousseff, Brazil
Dilma Rousseff was elected as Brazil’s president in 2011 and re-elected in 2015. Her administration focused on continuing social programs and implementing fiscal reforms, but it was marred by an economic recession and a massive corruption scandal involving the state oil company Petrobras, which eventually led to her impeachment in 2016. Before becoming president, she had served as Chief of Staff and Minister of Mines and Energy under her predecessor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Xiomara Castro, Honduras
Xiomara Castro took office as president of Honduras in January 2022 after winning the 2021 election. She ran on a platform of fighting corruption and addressing the country’s social inequalities. Her previous political experience included serving as First Lady during her husband Manuel Zelaya’s presidency, where she became an outspoken advocate for social justice and democratic governance.
Women who assumed the presidency
Some women in Latin America became presidents due to extraordinary circumstances rather than elections:
María Estela Martínez de Perón, Argentina
Known as Isabelita, she became Argentina’s president in 1974 after the death of her husband, Juan Domingo Perón. Her presidency faced severe economic difficulties, including inflation, worker protests, and escalating political violence, leading to her being overthrown by a military coup in 1976. After being detained and placed under house arrest, she went into exile in Spain in 1981.
Rosalía Arteaga, Ecuador
Rosalía served as Ecuador’s president for two days in 1997, following the removal of President Abdalá Bucaram. She was the first woman to assume the presidency in Ecuador, but her short term was marked by political instability, as Congress quickly replaced her with the speaker of the legislature. Arteaga had previously served as Vice President and was a strong advocate for education and cultural affairs.
Dina Boluarte, Peru
Boluarte became Peru’s president in 2022 after the impeachment of Pedro Castillo. As Castillo’s vice president, she was thrust into the presidency during a period of significant political turmoil; however, she faced the immediate challenge of stabilizing the government head-on while addressing ongoing protests and economic issues.
Lidia Gueiler Tejada, Bolivia
Gueiler Tejada became Bolivia’s president in 1979 after a period of political tension. She was elected by Congress following a coup that ousted her predecessor, but her presidency was short-lived as she was overthrown in another coup led by General Luis García Meza in 1980. Despite her brief time in office, she is remembered for her commitment to democratic principles and her efforts to stabilize Bolivia’s tense political situation.
Jeanine Áñez, Bolivia
Áñez assumed the presidency of Bolivia in 2019 after the resignation of Evo Morales in the middle of widespread protests and allegations of election fraud. As a senator, she was next in line for the presidency in the absence of higher-ranking officials. Her interim presidency was marked by efforts to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and political divisions within the country.
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