According to Marta Lagos, executive director of opinion poll organisation Latinobarometro, anger over the accord is being directed at Mr Pinera rather than Mr Obama, particularly because the Chilean leader has questioned the wisdom of developing nuclear energy in the past.

BBC: Barack Obama visits Chile amid nuclear debate

After narrowly losing against Mr Lagos in the race for president, he is running for mayor of central Santiago against Marta Larraechea, the wife of ex-President Frei.

ECONOMIST: Stumbling to Chile’s elections | The