Latin America soon will enter a decisive period with presidential elections in a climate marked by polarization, institutional fatigue and economic pressure.

Citizens check for their polling station at a voting center in Entre Rios, Bolivia, on August 17 to elect a new government and parliament for the next five years. A presidential runoff is scheduled for October 19. File Photo by Jorge Abrego/EPA UPI

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Starting in October, Latin America will enter a decisive period with an intense calendar of presidential elections in a climate marked by polarization, institutional fatigue and economic pressure.

In that context, right-wing and center-right candidates who promote order, fiscal discipline and pro-investment policies appear to be gaining traction and could prevail or lead in first-round votes.

Still, the region remains volatile and cyclical -- where the right governs without solving security or economic problems, voters may shift back to the center or left in the next cycle.

"The outcome of these elections will not only define the direction of each country's economic and social policy, but also the region's democratic stability and, most importantly, its international alignment, because the region is at a crossroads: whether it ultimately turns toward China or maintains its historic commitments with the United States," said Guido Larson, an international analyst at the Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile.

Roberto Reyes, an analyst at the Universidad Gabriela Mistral in Chile, added: "The most likely scenario is that the region moves into a period of right-wing governments because of their message of fiscal discipline, security and economic pragmatism. These themes resonate strongly with voters tired of recurring crises."

But this shift brings the challenge of balancing economic adjustments with social protection. Without a credible plan to ease economic pressure, Reyes said, even new conservative administrations will face the same fatigue they are trying to overcome.

The Real Instituto Elcano think tank, in a June analysis, highlighted three common features of this electoral cycle: fragmented opposition and governing coalitions, extreme polarization and the rise of "Trumpist" and "Bukelist" rhetoric.

The report warned that these dynamics point to minority governments and divided legislatures, making it harder to push through structural reforms and potentially fueling further institutional instability.

Bolivia will open the elections calendar. The country is headed for a presidential runoff Oct. 19, with two right-wing candidates ending 20 years of leftist governments. Center-right candidate Rodrigo Paz Pereira and right-wing candidate Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga will face off after a first round marked by high turnout.

On Nov. 16, Chile will hold a presidential election marked by sharp polarization, with Communist Party candidate Jeanette Jara and far-right contender José Antonio Kast vying for the top spot in polls.

The country faces challenges with crime, migration and economic growth, making calls for order and security dominant in the campaign. In that context, a shift to the right appears highly likely.

Honduras will hold its presidential election Nov. 30. Two candidates are seen as the main contenders: Salvador Nasralla, a reformist center-right leader, and Rixi Moncada, representing the ruling left.

As the date approaches, voters face deep uncertainty. Six polling firms have released contradictory results, fueling misinformation and sowing doubts among the electorate.

Costa Rica will hold presidential elections Feb. 1. Two candidates are seen as the main contenders: Álvaro Ramos Chaves and Natalia Díaz Quintana. Ramos, an economist and former head of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, is running on a moderate centrist platform.

Díaz, a former presidential minister under President Rodrigo Chaves, represents a liberal center-right vision with a strong technical and business-oriented message and is expected to benefit from Chaves' high popularity.

Peru faces a presidential race marked by heavy fragmentation and voter apathy, with elections set for April 12 alongside a return to a bicameral Congress. The process will bring an oversized ballot due to the proliferation of nearly 40 parties and thousands of candidates.

So far, 117 presidential tickets have been registered, pending ratification by the National Jury of Elections.

Recent polls show three right-wing candidates leading voter preferences, though none has more than 10% support: Lima Mayor Rafael López Aliaga, Keiko Fujimori and Mario Vizcarra. A significant share of voters say they plan to cast blank ballots or void their votes.

Colombia will hold its presidential election May 31. The main contenders come from three ideological blocs: right, center and left.

María Fernanda Cabal, a senator from the Democratic Center party, represents the right, aligned with former President Álvaro Uribe, with a strong message on security and free markets.

Sergio Fajardo, former governor of Antioquia, is running as a moderate centrist with an emphasis on education and fighting corruption.

Gustavo Bolívar, a former senator and figure in the Historic Pact coalition, seeks to continue President Gustavo Petro's progressive project.