As Chile prepares for its December 13 presidential election, this young candidate has shaken up the post-Pinochet pattern of two coalitions battling for the presidency.

A policy update in the Fall 2009 issue of Americas Quarterly examines health care systems in Cuba, Chile, Colombia, and Costa Rica.

Chile's former president, Ricardo Lagos, calls for a new global metric to measure a country's carbon footprint in the Fall 2009 issue of Americas Quarterly.

AS/COA honored Chilean President Michelle Bachelet with the Americas Society's Gold Insigne for Chile's economic and social achievements under her watch. “Chile is in a position to become a developed economy over the course of one generation and it is determined to do so," said the president during remarks.

While some journalists reporting in Latin America face threats to personal security, others deal with official intimidation in what some warn could roll back hard-won press freedoms. But governments and journalists have also taken steps to ensure greater access to information.

With elections in December, the next president of Chile will, like counterparts across the region, face challenges to ensure the country’s continued socioeconomic prosperity. Santiago looks to renewable energy, liquid natural gas, and potentially nuclear power to satisfy its energy needs.