The Future of Latin America

[Reuben]

In the past few years Latin America in my opinion at least has been moving towards the left and towards social progress.

The Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela and the election of the workes party in Brazil reflects in my opinion a growing consciousness amongst the latin American pople of there own self interests as well as a threat to american interests. Throughout the century America has had no qualms about acting coersively too depose democratic governements who threaten its financial interests, whether we are talking about CHile in 1973, rbenz in 1954 or the sandanistas. Howeveer I believe with the end of the cold war it has become harder for the USA to justify acting so coersively.

I am personally excited about the future of Latin America, a continent in which the proletariat is now the majority. I want to know what others think, is there reason to be optimistic or not. And what will be the future.

[Conghaileach]

I think that it's good to see many of the things that are going on in Latin America, such as the Bolivarian revoluytion in Veneuzuela, Lula's election in Brazil, workers forming cooperatives in Argentina (though I wish the situation there was better).

Unfortunately though, the US is still beign as coercive as ever, only now they're being much more covert about it. The US is supporting, and funding, the rich and elite of Venezuela who are trying to overthrow Chavez. We know that the reactionary criminal Otto Reich is still working as the US's "ambassador" to Latin America. They helped bring about the situation in Argetina through their control of the IMF and World Bank. They're not afraid of pulling the loans being given to other nations when it suits them, such as when it comes to UN referendums and they need to twist a few arsm to get votes in their favour.

The future is indeed bright for Latin America. But the US is still hanging over the region like a raincloud.

[redstar2000]

The questions that occur to me:

1. Will Lula REALLY stand up to the IMF/World Bank (and the United States behind both)?

2. Will the Venezuelan military resist the bribes that are surely being offered behind the scenes at this moment (both from the corrupt Venezuelan elite and the CIA)? And, will Chavez decisively move to crush the coup-plotters?

3. Can the FARC win decisive military victories over the Colombian military and para-military forces and the U.S. troops sent there to support them?

4. Are the Argentine factory occupations just the beginning of a wide-spread spontaneous revolt against capitalism--both global and domestic--in that devastated country?

Should the answers to these questions turn out to be positive, then, just for fun (?), we can ask another question.

Is Latin America going to be the site of the first continental proletarian revolution of the 21st century?

And history may answer us a LOT sooner than we had any reason to expect.



(Edited by redstar2000 at 12:42 am on Jan. 2, 2003)

[InnocentCivilian]

does anyone have any good unbiased links about whats going on in venezuela?

[Larissa]

Hopefully YES! But, I'm not sure whether we will be seeing it on the 21st century.

Is Latin America going to be the site of the first continental proletarian revolution of the 21st century?


However, I think it is a good start, a new beginning, an a real chance for socialism.

[Conghaileach]

from redstar2000:
1. Will Lula REALLY stand up to the IMF/World Bank (and the United States behind both)?

Perhaps not. There are a number of right-wingers on his cabinet. Diluting his mandate was the price paid to achieve the presidency.

This always reminds me of Allende, who kept trying to appease the rich and the reactionaries even as they overthrew and murdred him.


2. Will the Venezuelan military resist the bribes that are surely being offered behind the scenes at this moment (both from the corrupt Venezuelan elite and the CIA)? And, will Chavez decisively move to crush the coup-plotters?

I read a news article about a top Venezuelan general, who is posted in Caracas and has the ability (considering his location and the number of men under his command) to storm the Presidential palace and have Chávez overthrown. He gets phone calls all day long from anti-government protestors asking him to do so. He keeps refusing.

There was another story I read about how Chávez had to step in against the Caracas police and the mayor because of their heavy handedness against pro-government "Chavistas" while anti-government forces can run amuck. There's also questions about the loyalty of the National Guard to the President.


3. Can the FARC win decisive military victories over the Colombian military and para-military forces and the U.S. troops sent there to support them?

The FARC and the Colombian ELN have been working together on a number of operations as of late. A few days ago, the regained terrority that had been annexed by the paramilitary AUC and killed 60 members of the death squad during the battle.


4. Are the Argentine factory occupations just the beginning of a wide-spread spontaneous revolt against capitalism--both global and domestic--in that devastated country?

Hopefully so.


Is Latin America going to be the site of the first continental proletarian revolution of the 21st century?

Let's hope it's the spark for an international revolution.

[Larissa]

"1. Will Lula REALLY stand up to the IMF/World Bank (and the United States behind both)? "

In South America we have the "Mercosur", and it is important that we never let it die and if we are able to keep it strong enough and integrate more countries, I think we have an important chance to stand up to the IMF/World Bank.


Clinton tried (but couldn't) break/weaken the Mercosur. I think South American countries are aware about the power of joining their efforts to strengthen the Mercosur.

[Larissa]

"3. Can the FARC win decisive military victories over the Colombian military and para-military forces and the U.S. troops sent there to support them?"

I have read that the anti-chavists have denounced the Venezuelan Gov. before the D.O.J. stating that Chavez is suppling weapons to the Farc. But this info doesn't come from an official source. So, I don't really know if it's true although I think it can be.

[Sirion]

If the current happenings in South America is allowed to happen without major USA interference, we may actually see a new socialist influence come to people from the actual countries. Which is desperately needed in the western world.

I fear, however, that we may see events similiar to those of the past, when South American leftist leaders was elected...

[Larissa]

Check CiaranB's post at http://www.che-lives.com/cgi/community/top...um=25&topic=553 (http://www.che-lives.com/cgi/community/topic.pl?forum=25&topic=553)


Quote: from InnocentCivilian on 4:42 pm on Jan. 1, 2003
does anyone have any good unbiased links about whats going on in venezuela?

[Borincano]

Latin America is seemingly moving towards the left, but how long will that last? The left has won, gaining control or has sustained power in Brasil, Cuba, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, and Chile. The election of a hard-line leftist was close in Bolivia, there's much unrest over the right-wing policies of Pres. Alejandro Toledo in Perú, in Paraguay, El Salvador and México. The future looks both bright and grim for Latin America. Just because these countries are moving more left doesn't mean they will improve. The USA is still trying to sustain control over the region, and these gov'ts, in order to please the "1st world nations," might move aside the wishes of their people for the rich, ruling class. That has happened before and could and probably will happen again.

A warning to those who wish the best for Latin America, look at the history and current situation of Puerto Rico, and you'll see what the USA gov't has planned for all of Latin America and the world.

Socialism in Latin America (http://www.che-lives.com/cgi/community/topic.pl?forum=13&topic=223)

[Reuben]

great to see you back boricano

[Borincano]

Quote: from Reuben on 6:24 pm on Jan. 1, 2003
great to see you back boricano

Thanks! I didn't even know I was missed on this forum, lol. :briggin: :cool: It's great to be back though. :)

[Larissa]

Quote: from InnocentCivilian on 4:42 pm on Jan. 1, 2003
does anyone have any good unbiased links about whats going on in venezuela?


Try this site: http://www.aporrea.org/english.php

[InnocentCivilian]

thanks for the links Larissa