It’s vital that we extend our solidarity to all those resisting neoliberalism in Latin America – especially in the context of attempts to remove or destabilise new progressive governments.
Sam Browse, Labour Friends of Progressive Latin America
By Sam Browse, Labour Friends of Progressive Latin America
On Monday 7th February, 6.30pm, activists from across the globe will gather online to discuss Latin America’s 2nd ‘pink tide’ – how the empire failed to beat a rebellion.
The meeting will hear from Jeremy Corbyn, Chilean economist Manueal Riesco, member of Honduras’s transition commission, Rodolfo Pastor, Ecuador’s former foreign minister, Guillaume Long, Claudia Turbet-Delof of Wiphalas Across the World, and Jess Barnard, Chair of Young Labour and member of a recent delegation to Brazil.
It comes as a wave of countries across Latin America have rejected the neoliberalism imposed on them by coup d’etats and violent repression – in Honduras, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru – and as support for Lula surges in Brazil ahead of this year’s election.
In Chile, the socialist, Gabriel Boric, defeated his far-right opponent, sweeping to power in the country’s November presidential election. The victory builds on a wave of protests over corruption, cost of living and ticket prices in the Santiago transport system, which blossomed into broader demands to throw out the neoliberal constitution that had been in place since the Pinochet coup of 1973.
Similarly, 13 years after a US-backed coup in Honduras overthrew the democratically elected president, Manuel Zelaya, Xiomara Castro has been sworn into office in a huge victory against the corruption and scandal of the previous coup regime. The violent imposition of neoliberalism in Honduras immediately after Zelaya’s removal saw extreme poverty increase by 26.3% and unemployment double. In electing Castro, Hondurans have demonstrated their rejection of this failed model and reversed the assault on democracy carried out in 2009.
And in Bolivia, President Luis Arce is continuing to dismantle the neoliberal agenda imposed by the 2019 coup against Evo Morales. After the removal of Morales, thousands came out onto the streets and were met with – in some cases – lethal repression, as the government reversed the gains of the socialist presidency. A year later, Bolivians defeated the coup, electing Arce who has since implemented a host of progressive measures.
It’s vital that we extend our solidarity to all those resisting neoliberalism in Latin America – especially in the context of attempts to remove or destabilise new progressive governments. For example, Luis Arce has faced ongoing destabilisation attempts with plans to foment another coup d’etat. The plot was defeated as Bolivians poured out onto the streets to support their elected government.
Monday’s meeting will be an opportunity to hear more about this second “pink tide” sweeping the region. Join the discussion and hear what we can do to demonstrate our solidarity with this inspiring, continent-wide rebellion against US-backed neoliberalism.
- Register for Latin America’s 2nd ‘pink tide’ – how the empire failed to beat a rebellion here.
