Major events that shaped Latin America in 2022

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Over the last 12 months Latin America saw a radical transformation of politics, the impeachment of a president, a failed constitutional change, and the takeover of a country by criminal gangs.

And although instability is rife in the region, 2022 was not without its shining moments, including a win in the world’s top football tournament.

Here are some events that took Latin America by storm in 2022.

- Leftist wave

Latin America took a turn to the left, a force that has consolidated itself in a region previously ruled by right-wing politicians.

Progressive former student leader Gabriel Boric was sworn in as Chile’s youngest president in March. Former guerilla Gustavo Petro was elected Colombia´s first left-wing president and Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva beat far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in an election in October​​.

Leftist leaders now hold power in 11 countries in the region.

- Political unrest in Peru

A vote for impeachment, arrest, new president and a state of national emergency – all in only one week as Peru was plunged into one of the deepest crises in its history.

Former President Pedro Castillo was ousted and arrested after attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree to avoid impeachment because of corruption allegations.

His removal sparked days of nationwide protests, which left at least 20 people dead.

- Violence and instability in Haiti

The crisis in Haiti worsened in recent months in a country gripped by gang violence that has caused food, water and fuel shortages. All this as the nation deals with a cholera outbreak.

The government on the Caribbean island has asked the international community for military assistance to address the epidemic and the actions of criminal gangs that seem to have taken over the country.

- El Salvador gang crackdown

And while in one country gang members take over a country, in another they are arrested.

More than 55,000 suspected gang members have been arrested since President Nayib Bukele declared a war on criminal groups in El Salvador.

Bukele's government declared a state of emergency March 27 after three days of violence left 87 dead, which the president blamed on the gang known as MS-13.

The move has drawn alarm from human rights organizations who see the measure as an opportunity for Bukele's government to curb individual liberties.

- US relations with Venezuela

Relations between the US and Venezuela seem to be going in a new direction following years of tension after the Joe Biden administration eased US sanctions on the South American country’s oil industry.

Washington authorized the American oil company, Chevron, to expand production in Venezuela and bring crude oil to the US.

The decision to lift some sanctions was made to encourage the resumption of negotiations between the Nicolas Maduro government and the Washington-backed opposition, which were suspended in October 2021.

- Chileans reject new constitution

More than 60% of voters in Chile overwhelmingly rejected a new constitution which was due to replace a charter drawn up under dictator Augusto Pinochet's rule.

It was a major defeat for President Gabriel Boric, who had backed the new charter.

- Argentina win World Cup

In probably the most exciting final in history, Argentina, led by superstar Lionel Messi, defeated France to win the World Cup, the biggest event in football.