Gabriel Boric

Gabriel Boric is the current President of Chile. He is in the news due to the devastating wildfires raging across central and southern Chile in January 2026. These fires have resulted in at least 18 deaths, the displacement of over 50,000 people, and the destruction of numerous homes and thousands of hectares of forest. In response, President Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in the Ñuble and Biobío regions, about 500km south of Santiago, to facilitate emergency response efforts. The severity of the fires, exacerbated by a heatwave and strong winds, underscores the challenges Boric's administration faces in disaster management and resource allocation. His actions in addressing this crisis are crucial for the affected communities and the overall stability of the country.