Articles
Friday, August 27, 2021
For centuries enormous struggles have taken place a across Latin America against Spanish, British and US imperialism and their domestic allies. In the course of that time there have been tremendous victories, like the Cuban revolution, and huge defeats like the overthrow of the Popular Unity government in Chile. But people across the continent have kept resisting and fighting for change. Even a few months ago few would have predicted that a self-declared Marxist would be elected president of Peru. In Bolivia, after a bitter defeat for the left and Evo Morales and a campaign of right wing terrorist violence, nevertheless, Luis Arce from Morales’s party, the Movement Towards Socialism, won the presidential election. In Chile the left has a majority on the convention writing the new constitution for the country. None of this was achieved by purely electoral politics – these successes arose from the struggles of the working class, social movements and indigenous peoples.
Friday, February 5, 2021
The people of Chile voted overwhelmingly for a new constitution which will free them from the constraints of General Pinochet's legacy. Now the fight is on for the left and social movements to ensure they secure delegates to the Constitutional Convention which will draft it. This is also a fight to address the inequalities rampant in Chilean life and brought to light by the coronavirus pandemic.
Sunday, April 19, 2020
China was where the coronavirus outbreak originated, bit also where there was an effective response, bringing it under control. China has offered what it has learned about the virus along side practical support to other countries and Cuba too continues its tradition of health care solidarity with others. This contrasts sharply with the response of the United States which has tightened sanctions not only on Cuba, but on Venezuela and Iran.
Friday, April 17, 2020
Cuba and china have offered support to other countries hit by the coronavirus outbreak. Their actions have been dismissed by the EU and worse the US has warned other countries not to accept Cuban help.
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Since the height of the so-called pink tide in Latin America, reactionary forces, backed by the united States have been rolling back progress. there have been coups, constitutional/legal manoeuvres and coups. the challenges remain massive, but despite setbacks there is an upsurge in strikes and protests by working people, most notably in Chile.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
In common with other recent "free" trade deals, the Trans-Pacific Partnership favours big companies over people. It abolishes democracy and national sovereignty by enabling courts to over-rule governments at the behest of corporations. The struggle against the TTP in Chile united many diverse movements and politicians, changing the political scene there.
Saturday, June 15, 2019
The US and others are tightening the screws on Venezuela with sanctions and threats of invasion. They do not want a peaceful resolution of the country's problems, but are aiming at regime change. Despite being sponsored by the US, the anti-democratic right wing opposition failed in a recent coup attempt against the government.
Friday, June 14, 2019
This is the 60th anniversary of the Cuban revolution, which has brought incredible gains for the people of Cuba. Its internationalism has also meant that it has spread those gains - health, literacy, disaster relief, liberation - beyond the shores of the island. Millions of people across the world have benefited. in the past Cuba has survived enormous challenges and now faces new ones.