¿Por qué el cobre a 6 dólares no salva a Chile?: crudo diagnóstico de economista tras caída del PIB

The data hit hard this morning. The Central Bank confirmed that the Chilean economy contracted by 0.5% during the first quarter of 2026, marking the worst start to the year since the 2009 subprime mortgage crisis. The figure fell short of market projections and represents the first quarterly decline since mid-2023. Several factors are behind the result: a sharp drop in mining, lower copper production, setbacks in industry, and continued weakness in consumption. The blow had been anticipated with three consecutive negative Imacec (Monthly Index of Economic Activity) figures this year. Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz blamed the previous administration, stating, "This is the country we inherited," while economic advisors warn that Chile cannot withstand another year of stagnation. The data also reopens the debate on investment, employment, and growth, just as the government is trying to accelerate its economic agenda and address a complex fiscal situation. In this episode of Topic of the Day, hosted by Néstor Aburto, we talk with economist Jorge Hermann, from Hermann Consultores and professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEN) of the University of Chile. Follow us on our social media: Instagram:   / biobiochile   Facebook:   / radiobiobio   Twitter:   / biobio   TikTok:   / biobiochile