Over much of the globe the left alternative that advances a socialist programme to confront the capitalist crisis facing humanity has been absent or growing from a very weak base after 40-years of right-wing orthodoxy dominating politics.
That is not true in Latin America. On Monday there will be an election in Brazil that should see the return of the Workers Party leader and former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the presidency of that country. This is a remarkable turnaround after he was jailed for two years and prevented from participating in the previous election and so ensuring the victory to the right-wing Trump-like Jair Bolsonaro.
Today left-wing governments, with varying degrees of radicalism, govern in Mexico, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Peru, Chile, Honduras, Bolivia, Argentina, and remarkably – Colombia.
And, of course, the Cuban revolution still stands despite an unrelenting war waged on that country by the US empire for over half a century. See Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister on U.S. Embargo, Gay Marriage & Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Here is a taste of what is happening in Latin America from recent speeches to the United Nations.
Bolivia’s leftist President Luis Arce used his platform at the United Nations General Assembly to propose a revolutionary 14-point program to transform the world.
Imperialism and capitalism are ‘bleeding the world dry’: At UN, Nicaragua calls for global rebellion
At the United Nations General Assembly, Nicaragua’s Sandinista government called for a global rebellion against the “imperialist and capitalist system” that is “bleeding the world dry.” Condemning illegal sanctions and war, it urged a new multipolar order.
Colombia’s first ever left-wing President Gustavo Petro delivered a historic UN speech declaring, “The war on drugs has failed.” He warned capitalism is destroying the environment, with its “addiction to money and oil,” and called for debt relief for the Global South.
In her first UN speech, Honduras’ left-wing President Xiomara Castro denounced colonialism, “neoliberal injustice,” and the foreign corporations that have exploited her country. Calling for multipolarity, she declared, “Never again will we carry the stereotype of a banana republic.”
So because the environment is good and money is bad Gustavo Petro wants to let gangs cut down forrests to plant poppies and is asking for money?
I’m a tad confused.
More than a tad.
Clearly LAM voters are blind to that ‘basket case’ in their top right-hand corner – Venezuela. Despite having the largest oil reserves in the Western hemisphere – it was bought to its knees by the incompetence of Chavez and the Chavista movement – to the point where you had to queue for toilet paper. Pre Chavez Venezuela was corrupt – Post Chavez it became twice as corrupt. I spent 20 years traveling in and out of LAM, I saw millions of Brazilians lifted out of poverty by Cardoso, I saw Uribe transform Colombia from a lawless gangland into a freer and happier society, and I watched as the populists washed Argentina down the drain. My heart weeps for the poor in LAM, as it will be only them who will suffer this latest curse of left-wing populist politics. It seems we never learn.
Funny how you American-lovers forget to mention how your Yank bosses have put the people of Venezuela under siege, an act of war, threatening to stop any foreign company that trades with human nations like Venezuela from being allowed to trade with the US.
Funny how you Chavista apologists forget to mention how he tried to nationalize US assets first and how Chavez himself decided not to sell oil to the US but to trade it to Cuba for doctors instead. Try reading some history Mr Khan – you might find it enlightening.
lol Americans have no right to property
The United States of America (1986) was a case where the International Court of Justice (ICJ) held that the U.S. had violated international law by supporting the Contras in their rebellion against the Sandinistas and by mining Nicaragua’s harbors.
EXACTLY
With a name like Mohammed Khan, your ancestors came from where, middle East? (Perhaps you also, or your parents)…are you hoping for governance in NZ the same as where your roots come from, where your family emigrated from (fled?)
Under Chavez, the poor got more access to health and social services than ever before. There was no universal health care system in Venuzeula before then. It was bascially like your beloved USA, no insurance, you go without.
Healthcare should not be determined on ability to pay. Not now, not ever.
My wife’s from LAM and fought in the streets against her countries dictatorship crackdowns, as an ardent socialist. She’s scrimped and saved for 10 years to leave and arrived in NZ over 20 years ago and has been a NZ Citizen for 15 years.
Who does she vote for? Last election is was Act.
So she votes to cut people’s wages and take healthcare away. Brilliant. Send her back.
No she votes for self responsibility, an unusual concept I know.
Self responsbility = everyone for themselves, and no social services whatsoever.
In case you hadn’t noticed Chile just booted the stupid proposed Socialist constitution.
Tell us more about how you- like Brenton Tarrant- support throwing socialists out of helicopters, Tom.
More like throwing out little Pol Pot’s, which is always a humane thing to do.
The problem with the proposed new constitution wasn’t the “socialism”, it was the wokeism.
Great article Mike. The Yanks need to stay out. They have infiltrated and had a go at LAM politics and politicians for their own gain many many times whilst the rest of the world looks the other way.
Capitalism has failed miserably everywhere in the world but many of the comments here think it is the be all and end all.
Does capitalism care about the 400 people living cars doubt it.
It looks like the Americans managed to interfere enough in the Brazilian elections to block Lula winning a clear victory in the first round. Hopefully they aren’t as successful in perverting the second one.
Bollocks
Inspiring stuff Mike – thanks for sharing this!
United States needs to arrange another coup. We need to remove the corrupt left wing commie Lula from power. He should still be in prison!
lol, according to filthy American crooks like you. Meanwhile, the filth who collaborated with the CIA to defame Lula like Sergio Moro are looking like they might be facing the life sentences they deserve, if they don’t run to the States fast enough.
Mohammed – your anti-American tripe is becoming somewhat wearisome. The US is no saint to be sure, but then what country is? Who is your shining example of socialist angels we should all follow and learn from? By the way – who stepped up to help the Ukrainians when Putin invaded – Oh surely not?… that nasty old Uncle Sam? – impossible.
You’re defending the most evil empire ever to exist by saying it’s no saint- hilarious
Umm not really Mohammed – Try Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Atilla, Caligula, Sadam….The list goes on
Saints next to any American
A basic understanding of the history of South America explains all:
It was colonized by the declining authoritarian kingdoms of the Mediterranean; Spain and Portugal, whereas North America was colonized by the rising liberal, capitalist states in the North – Britain, Holland & France. These cultural differences were duly passed on to the colonies.
The newly acquired lands were allocated to the Conquistadores as grand estates and they ruled with great brutality. Their descendants are today’s Landlord Class. So, when we see a left-wing revolution in South America it is really the indigenous Indians revolting against the landlords.
Neither version works: The landlords won’t give up their estates and the Indians aren’t educated enough to run these countries when eventually they get the chance. So, the cycle just repeats.
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