There was also self-mutilation by progressives. In one notorious case, Rodrigo Rojas, a member of the constituent assembly who campaigned for better public health care, was found to have faked a leukemia diagnosis. This was coupled with a wave of misinformation, including on social media, that the constitution would ban the national anthem and flag and give indigenous citizens immunity from criminal prosecution. “In many countries, including the United States, indigenous peoples are legally recognized. This is no different. Fake news has done a lot of damage,” said pollster Mr. Cavieres.
New leader
Many Chileans also want to cast a protest vote against Boric, 36, a former student leader and self-proclaimed “liberal socialist” who took power in March and has backed the Yes campaign.
Hailed as a representative of a new generation of Latin American leftists, Mr Boric has made the environment a top priority and, unlike some older counterparts in the region, condemned the dictatorships in Venezuela and Nicaragua.
But Boric has seen his popularity plummet thanks to 12 percent inflation fueled by the conflict in Ukraine and public fears about his government’s ability to tackle violent crime.
Those concerns were highlighted this week after Boric’s brother Simon was beaten as he tried to stop a gang looting a shop. He is now in hospital where his condition has been described as “stable”.
