A new poll conducted by CB Consultora Opinión Pública found that Presidents Daniel Noboa of Ecuador and Javier Milei of Argentina are the two most popular heads of state in South America. Noboa leads the rankings with a 52.1% approval rating, while Milei follows closely at 49%. Both leaders have aligned themselves with the United States and President Donald Trump’s administration, pursuing strong pro-America policies.
The poll surveyed all nine Spanish-speaking South American countries plus Brazil between May 19 and 22. Noboa, 37, Ecuador’s youngest president, has prioritized fighting violent crime and drug trafficking, pushing for a joint U.S.-Ecuador security alliance. Noboa met with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago in April to request U.S. military assistance for Ecuador’s battle against cartels. Since taking office for a full four-year term last week, Noboa has vowed to deliver “real help” for Ecuador through stronger U.S. ties.
Milei, Argentina’s libertarian president, has shifted the country’s foreign policy away from socialist regimes like China, Russia, and Iran, strengthening ties with the United States and Israel instead. His “shock therapy” economic reforms have dramatically reduced Argentina’s inflation, from a staggering 25.5% in December 2023 to just 2.8% in April. Milei’s turnaround has earned praise from President Trump, who described him as a “great leader” and said he would consider a free trade agreement between the U.S. and Argentina.
Meanwhile, leftist leaders in the region fared poorly in the rankings. Peru’s President Dina Boluarte came in last at 19.8%, followed by Bolivia’s Luis Arce at 25.5%, and Venezuela’s socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro at 29.1%. Milei’s approval rating saw the biggest jump in May, up 2.7 points, reflecting growing support for his bold pro-freedom policies.
As Milei and Noboa continue to push for stronger U.S. alliances, leftist regimes across the region face declining support. Milei’s government also announced this week that Argentina will exit the World Health Organization, marking another step in its break from globalist institutions.
