The rise of the left alternative in Latin America
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.”
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.
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.
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.