Jan 11, 2026
3 min read
In the final part of his term, the head of state gave a wide-ranging interview to El Pais, marked by personal balance sheets and ideological definitions, exploring power, self-criticism, a sense of order, political failure and the future of progressivism.
President Borić, two months after his departure from La Moneda: "The left that only blames the opponent is condemned to dilution"
In the final part of his term, the head of state reflected on power, self-criticism, sense of order, political failure and the future of progress in a wide-ranging interview with El País, marked by balance of power and ideological definitions.
Less than two months after leaving La Moneda, President Jibril Borich mentioned various pressing issues that marked his administration, such as the defeat of the left election, the victory of José Antonio Caste, the organizational process failed, public security, political transformation and the concept of the left, which cannot survive without self-examination.
In an in-depth interview with Al Pais, the country's leader laid out his vision for a four-year rule in Chile that would be characterized by high hopes, disappointments and institutional learning.
In this sense, he acknowledged the symbolic importance of the change of command that will take place on March 11, when he will give power to Kast, and he confirmed that the change was "organizational and republican" in nature, emphasizing the secret meeting he held with his successor after the election and the importance of protecting the culture of the people.
"Democracy is guarded at any time", noting the distance of recent episodes of ignorance about the results of elections in other countries in the country.
One of the central axes of the presidential balance is the failure of two constitutional processes, which marked not only the course of his government, but also the political climate that preceded the triumph of the right.
From this point of view, the president knows that the deep hope after the social epidemic has been destroyed there.
"It's a big disappointment. Not because of the final vote, but because of the lack of discussion," he admitted, stressing that in both processes the majority tries to deny the minority.
According to him, citizen refusal is a sign of democratic maturity, and he concludes that "the country is not built that way".
He also linked this frustration directly to the turn of voters towards order and security, concepts – he asserts – that the left has failed to credibly portray.
"The order doesn't have to be on the right," he said.Order is clear, it is stability."No one wants a chaotic country (...) The left still does not represent the desire for order."
Despite stressing that his administration has approved more than 70 security laws, Mr. Boric acknowledged that this is not enough to negate citizens' perceptions.
"Today's elections are mostly driven by emotions. If we managed to have hope in 2021, now the political system to support, and I'm not saying this is ridiculous, the fear of others, violence, economic uncertainty," he said.
In an interview, Boric rejected the idea that his time in power had "taken" his mind, saying "I started the government as someone who describes myself as a leftist and I ended the government as someone who described me as a leftist."
He also criticized progressivism internally, stating that "I can make inflammatory speeches, find antagonists and promise anything, but if the quality of life doesn't improve, it doesn't matter."
In this way, he left himself "showing in speech" or seeking out sinners who are forever outside.
"It is important to have an overview, because the argument for hegemony is not static. If the left does not stop thinking about itself, about what it wants to represent, it is obviously dead. But I think it is a mistake to distance yourself and deny what has been done," he concluded, concluding that "a left that only blames the enemy is doomed to dissolve."
Foreign policy without “double standards”
Internationally, Boric reaffirms a widely accepted and critical position that aims to apply the same standards to human rights.regardless of political affiliation
"To judge the facts, you need to have the same standards. Otherwise, one loses confidence," he stresses.
With this fact, he criticized Venezuela and Nicaragua without limits, which he rightly described as tyrannical regimes.
As for Chavismo, for which he initially sympathized, he clearly pointed out that "a country where more than seventy million people are fleeing... something like this cannot be defended".
He also addressed the situation in Cuba, pointing out that there is "no democracy, one-party government and no freedom of speech", although he acknowledges the effects of the US blockade.
And with regard to world conflicts, the president has maintained his firm positions against the genocide in Palestine and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
After the capture of Nicolás Maduro by US forces, Borich criticized Washington's actions with the same clarity.
“A foreign state attempting to exercise direct control over Venezuelan territory sets a very dangerous precedent for regional and global stability,” he warned.
The closing of a cycle and the political future
On a personal level, Boric realized a profound transformation after coming to La Moneda at age 36 and leaving at age 40, after becoming a father and the formation of a family.
"Regardless of the political situation, my personal heart and soul are full," he admitted.
"I don't like to talk about my legacy. I don't care about Borykin's legacy and I don't care about it in third person. I find it in very bad taste," he said, refraining from gloating about his legacy.
However, the president was not expected to make a definitive departure from politics, but a change in role.
"It's a good life that, as the former president, I stay for a long time without participating in emergencies," he said, explaining that he will focus more on the work of the region, building the community and creating a broad alliance between the left, the center-left and the area.
"The opposition must be democratic, it cannot only come from Twitter or from political cliques, but must be closely connected to the territory, to the people," Boric concluded.
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