“The US Empire is striking back, with intervention and xenophobia against Latin America growing under Trump 2.0″
By Jess Barnard, Labour NEC member
Latin America’s Left continues to show another world is possible, giving much-needed inspiration from how people are building mass, fighting movements against neo-liberalism and US-domination.
Additionally, in countries where the Left has won elections, our comrades are getting on with the business of building a better society – and giving specific examples of alternatives to never-ending austerity.
In Mexico, fire-and-rehire has been banned, social security and pensions expanded, and outsourcing of public services ended.
Honduras has made a stand for free electricity to the poor and clamped town on corporate tax avoidance.
Having defeated the far-right in Brazil, Lula re-instated anti-poverty programmes to the benefit of millions.
In Colombia, despite destabilisation from US-backed, anti-democratic, right-wing elements, the government’s social reforms – including transformative changes in healthcare, workers’ rights, pensions and education – advance.
The lesson here is that that rolling back neo-liberalism is possible. But the US Empire is striking back, with intervention and xenophobia against Latin America growing under ‘Trump 2.0’
As well as blockading Cuba, it has enforced heavy sanctions on Venezuela, in a bid to force ‘regime change’ in the oil-rich country, and illegal sanctions against Nicaragua.
We must offer solidarity against these reactionary attacks and build support for the many progressive changes taking place – ¡Viva la Solidaridad!
- This is part of our Building a Fighting Left hard-copy bulletin, also featuring Apsana Begum, Diane Abbott, BFAWU and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which is out now at https://bit.ly/buildingafightingleft
- BRIGHTON EVENT: ¡Viva la solidaridad! Stand with Latin America Against Trump – Sunday September 7, 12.30. Trina Chavarría, CUT (Colombian TUC) // Gabriel Rodriguez, IRF, Argentina // Francisco Dominguez, VSC / Sarah Woolley, BFAWU // Gawain Little, GFTU // Natasha Witham, part of NEU teacher exchange with Nicaragua. Register here.
- LIVERPOOL EVENT: ¡Viva la solidaridad! Stand with Latin America Against Trump – Monday September 29, 18.30. With Martina Pesce, Argentinian campaigner against the far-right // Francisco Dominguez // María Perez Ramos, MORENA supporter, Mexico // Richard Burgon MP // Jess Barnard, Labour NEC // Louise Regan, NEU // Gawain Little, GFTU // John McDonnell MP. Register here.
- Jess Barnard is a members’ representative on Labour National Executive Committee (NEC) and the former chair of Young Labour. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
- If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles here and internationally, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.
