Not long ago, leftist President Gabriel Boric was elected in a tight election and many, myself included, feared that Chile may be going down the wrong path.   

Boric rode a wave of discontent over COVID, a RINO problem on the right, low economic growth, and a poorly organized opposition.

That was then, and this is now. 

Over the weekend, Chileans sent a strong signal that they don't want a Cuba or Venezuela in their future. 

This is the story:    

Huge victory and a strong signal that Chilean voters want no part of a new constitution based on climate change and socialism. Economist Dan Mitchell has more commentary on this big defeat for the left, here. (See this, too.)

It is also a ray of hope for Colombians who also saw a leftist win a close election last year.

My good Chilean friend, who goes back to my school days, told me on the phone that voters are frustrated with crime and the economy.  He agrees with me that Baric's election was a wake up call to the middle class, and Chile has a large middle class.  Many conservative voters were angry and divided thus making it possible for Baric to win.  It looks like Chileans had a glimpse of the future and got their act together and voted against the left.

Cheers for Chile today.