“We must inspire each other that another world is possible – and that we can achieve that world if we struggle together”
Gawain Little, GFTU General Secretary
Arise: A Festival of Left Ideas held a Fringe meeting during Labour Party Conference in Liverpool: Viva la Solidaridad – Stand with Latin America Against Trump. Read our report back below.
The Viva la Solidaridad fringe meeting, hosted by Arise Festival brought together activists, politicians, trade unionists, and campaigners to emphasise the urgency of international solidarity with progressive governments and movements in Latin America at a time when the Trump presidency is buttressed by the strengthening of far-right movements in other states, including across Europe.
Opening the meeting, Gawain Little, the General Secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions described Arise as “the country’s biggest socialist events platform”, stressing the critical timing of the discussion as the world faces deep economic, social, and political crises.
With recent victories for the left in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Cuba, Venezuela, and Chile, alongside the alarming rise of the far-right in Argentina, speakers underlined the need to strengthen global solidarity.
Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell highlighted the dangers posed by Trump’s foreign policy towards Latin America, noting his backing for far-right figures such as Bolsonaro in Brazil and Milei in Argentina. McDonnell warned that Trump’s corporate-driven agenda threatens both the environment and democracy across the region.
He called on the British left to take responsibility. He urged Labour members to pressure the party leadership to adopt an independent foreign policy and said the UK government must stop turning a blind eye to US interventions.
He also urged progressives in Britain to learn from Latin America’s radical policies – such as Mexico’s moves against “fire and rehire,” Honduras’ provision of free electricity for the poor, and crackdowns on tax avoidance.
McDonnell also announced plans for a series of Arise seminars with Latin American economists to share lessons on resisting global capitalism.
Phil Liptrot reaffirmed Thompsons Solicitors’ commitment to international solidarity, describing it as central to the firm’s mission of social justice. He warned of the dangers of “Trump 2.0” and the rise of Farage in the UK, stressing that workers in Britain can learn from Latin America’s struggles. He called for an end to the US blockade of Cuba and Venezuela, closing with a message of solidarity: “Free Palestine.”
Matt Willgress outlined the global crisis driven by Trump’s reactionary agenda and economic warfare against Latin America.
He condemned the Labour government’s deference to financial markets while cutting spending and backing militarism.
He noted Latin America’s leadership in opposing Israeli actions in Gaza and stressed that the region remains a centre of anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist resistance.
Academic and activist Francisco Dominguez focused on the recent assertion of US military power in the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.
He debunked Washington’s claims about Venezuela’s role in the cocaine trade, pointing to official US data showing the majority of cocaine enters via Colombia and the Pacific and condemned it as a smokescreen to justify Trump’s sanctions crackdown and escalating threats.
Dominguez warned that US sanctions and the freezing of Venezuela’s gold by the Bank of England form part of a wider attempt to destabilise progressive governments. He urged British MPs to expose US military activities and oppose any potential escalation.
NEU activist Louise Regan thanked delegates for their support given to the Labour Conference motion on Palestine passed earlier that day, which recognised the UN Commission of Inquiry condemnation of Israeli acts of genocide in Gaza and sought a total arms embargo by the British government.
She drew strong parallels between the struggles of Palestine and Latin America against imperialism, highlighting Cuba’s decades-long solidarity with Palestinians – from Che Guevara’s historic visit to Gaza to Cuban universities providing free medical training for Palestinian students.
Regan condemned the devastating US blockade on Cuba, while praising the country’s continued internationalism, including its support for South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the ICJ.
Richard Burgon described Labour Conference’s vote in support of sanctions on Israel as a major victory, despite attempts by party leaders to block discussion of genocide in Gaza.
He noted Latin America’s leading role in global solidarity with Palestine, including Brazil joining South Africa’s ICJ case and the Hague Group’s strong support from Latin American nations, including Colombia hosting the group’s second meeting.
Burgon praised left governments across Latin America for their achievements despite constant US pressure, citing Venezuela’s public service reforms and Petro’s tax reforms in Colombia.
Marcos Lagia gave a sobering account of Argentina’s recent history of dictatorship, IMF exploitation, and corruption.
He described the authoritarian turn under President Milei, including repression of pensioners, attacks on Indigenous people, and rolling back of women’s and LGBTQ+ rights but noted the continued organisation and mobilisation against the regime’s measures including from the labour movement.
He condemned Milei’s alignment with Trump and urged the left to reflect on how to resist the far right across Latin America and beyond.
The event closed with Gawain Little urging attendees to continue building solidarity and confidence saying, “we must inspire each other that another world is possible – and that we can achieve that world if we struggle together.”
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Let the hispanic colonisers sort out the mess they have made.
The UK should concentrate on the mess we made in Palestine.