Fact Sheet

• Population: 18,307,925 (July 2021 est.)
• Capital: Santiago; the national legislature is seated in Valparaíso
• System of Governance: Presidential Republic
• Chief of State and Head of Government: President Sebastián Piñera Echenique
• Majority Language: Spanish
• Majority Religion: Christianity (Roman Catholic, 66.7%; Protestant or Evangelical, 16.4%), Not Religious (11.5%)
• GDP Per Capita: $24,226 (2019 est. in 2010 U.S. dollars)

History of Relationship Between the U.S. and Chile

The United States formally established diplomatic relations with Chile in 1824. Constant political infighting characterized early Chilean history. In 1830, a conservative majority took control of the government and maintained control for over thirty years. The latter half of the 19th century saw Chile’s slow liberalization, though the country would soon become the site of intercontinental conflict in the War of the Pacific when Chile faced off against the combined forces of Peru and Bolivia. The Chilean government turned down US support out of concern for US influence in the region. This decision to limit American influence in Chile stunted the development of relations between the two countries. 

The Chilean grew dissatisfied with the oligarchical ruling class and became frustrated with the country’s faltering economy. Popular discontent led to the Radical Period of Chilean politics where the government was led by a coalition of leftist parties and politicians. Through the following decades, political power alternated between traditionalist and leftist coalitions. Both groups advocated for pro-worker and protectionist economic policies, which ultimately bred dissatisfaction among the country’s elites. The wealthy elite supported the 1973 military coup in an effort to reassert their power, and a brutal dictatorship was established under the leadership of Augusto Pinochet. This political transition at the height of the Cold War garnered the support of high-level officials within the U.S. government who sought to limit the spread of communism in the Western Hemisphere. Though American support  increased during this period, relations between the two countries remained strained.

In 2000 Chile began the long process of reestablishing democracy. Though the country has since been rocked by natural disasters and popular protests, Chile has undertaken reforms to provide civilians with greater control over their government and reduce corruption.

U.S. Strategic Interests in Chile

Since Chile’s return to democracy in the late 20th-century, the United States has worked to maintain a close relationship. Issues of particular importance include environmental protection and research, trade, and cooperation on sustainable development projects in the Southern Cone and the Andean Region.

A number of U.S. agencies maintain an active presence in Chile, including the Environmental Protection Agency, National Parks Service, and National Science Foundation. These organizations collaborate with their local counterparts in order to conduct research and develop best practices related to issues of conservation, agriculture, and climate change. They focus on enforcing environmental regulations and managing protected areas. In an effort to address Chile’s lack of enforcement capacity and support the country’s conservation efforts, the United States has encouraged the use of its own environmental technologies and provided technical expertise through the implementation of the U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement. Chile has also partnered with a number of U.S. states to advance research and advocacy for clean energy infrastructure and low-carbon economies. These programs are intended to leverage the resources and technologies developed in the private sector as well as research conducted by public universities in the states, allowing for less bureaucratized engagement between cutting edge conservation technologies and the governments which seek to employ them.

The countries also collaborate to support sustainable development and anti-corruption initiatives across Latin America. The U.S.-Chile Trilateral Development Initiative aims to support sustainable development and encourage political stability and good governance. Chile has also worked with the United States in its peacekeeping efforts in Colombia.