Latin America and the Caribbean
Threat of fascistic coup grows in Brazil amid COVID vaccination failure
By Tomas Castanheira, 23 January 2021
“We the military are the last obstacle to socialism. Who decides whether a people will live in democracy or dictatorship is their Armed Forces,” declared fascistic President Bolsonaro.
999 Brazil/COVID crisis
22 January 2021
999 Brazil/COVID crisis
21 January 2021
Peruvian doctors strike, Phoenix area teachers launch sickout over COVID-19 dangers
Workers Struggle: The Americas
19 January 2021
Doctors across Peru have walked out over pay and COVID-19-related issues while teachers in Arizona’s Peoria Unified School District staged a sickout over dangerous in-person instruction.
Migrant caravan attacked by Guatemalan troops as Biden team accommodates to anti-immigrant right
By Andrea Lobo, 19 January 2021
Two months after hurricanes Eta and Iota devastated the region and as the pandemic crisis continues, caravan members are escaping conditions of absolute destitution.
Silent on coup attempt, Mexico’s AMLO defends Trump against “censorship”
By Andrea Lobo, 18 January 2021
The Mexican president is signaling that he will enforce the untrammeled exploitation of cheap labor and austerity diktats with his own shift toward dictatorship.
Patients die of asphyxiation as hospitals in Manaus run out of oxygen
By Tomas Castanheira, 16 January 2021
An entire wing of University Hospital patients died on Thursday night due to a lack of oxygen.
US State Department designates Cuba state sponsor of terrorism
By Alexander Fangmann, 16 January 2021
The announcement is a continuation of the rollback of Obama’s normalization of relations as the island has been hit hard by COVID-19 and a deepening economic crisis.
Ford shuts down operations in Brazil, destroying tens of thousands of jobs
By Brunna Machado and Tomas Castanheira, 15 January 2021
According to Ford, 5,000 workers will be laid off in Brazil, and tens of thousands more jobs directly associated with its production chain are expected to face destruction.
999 (1/12) Ford pulls out of Brazil, will close 3 factories
13 January 2021
Mexican Interjet workers begin strike; St Vincent Hospital workers launch protests in Boston
Workers Struggles: The Americas
12 January 2021
Some 5,000 workers at Interjet airlines struck airports in four cities to demand back wages while hospital nurses in Boston are staging pickets to demand safe staff to patient ratios
Argentine Morenoites shrug off Trump’s coup
By Andrea Lobo, 12 January 2021
The Morenoites, led by the Socialist Workers Party (PTS) in Argentina, oppose calling the assault against the Capitol a “coup” or “insurrection,” joining the Democratic Party and DSA in politically disarming the working class.
Bolsonaro endorses Trump coup, threatens to do same in Brazil’s 2022 election
By Miguel Andrade, 11 January 2021
It is no secret that the fascistic Bolsonaro sees in the January 6 putsch a blueprint for his own takeover in 2022.
As Brazil reaches 200,000 COVID-19 deaths, Bolsonaro sabotages vaccination campaign
By Tomas Castanheira, 8 January 2021
The most critical situation in the country is in the Amazonian capital of Manaus.
Brazilian workers exposed to infections and death as meat-processing industry reaps record profits
By Tomas Castanheira, 6 January 2021
At least 127 workers have been infected in a COVID-19 outbreak at a plant owned by Seara in Rio Grande do Sul.
Brazilian state governments push to reopen schools as COVID-19 deaths approach 200,000
By Gabriel Lemos, 5 January 2021
Brazil’s ruling elite is declaring education an essential service in order to reopen schools, even as the pandemic spirals out of control.
Police kill protesting farmworkers, attack anti-police violence protest in Santiago
Workers Struggles: The Americas
5 January 2021
Two farmworkers died in a brutal police assault on their protest over regressive labor legislation, while police repressed a commemoration march over the death of Mauricio Fredes.
AMLO government falsified COVID-19 data to avoid shutdowns in Mexico City
By Andrea Lobo, 30 December 2020
With hospitals in the Mexican capital expected to collapse in January, the López Obrador administration is determined to keep the economy open and safeguard profits.
Chilean health unions conclude sellout deal with right-wing government
By Mauricio Saavedra, 23 December 2020
The unions’ grip is increasingly tenuous after a long list of betrayals.
Chilean health care workers walk out over pay, national strike by Argentine train conductors
Workers Struggles: The Americas
22 December 2020
Members of the Confusam health workers union in Chile walked out December 16 over paltry pay raises while train conductors in Argentina plan a national work stoppage December 22.
Brazil and Mexico report spikes in COVID-19 deaths as pandemic ravages Latin America
By Tomas Castanheira, 18 December 2020
The two largest countries in Latin America are reporting an accelerated growth of COVID-19 cases and deaths, and are close to surpassing the peaks from earlier this year.
999 COVID pandemic surges in Latin America
17 December 2020
Spectacular Native American rock art newly discovered in the Colombian Amazon
By Philip Guelpa, 15 December 2020
The extensive rock face murals made by Native American groups are truly impressive and have the potential to contribute much to our knowledge of these cultures, but some claims about their age and content may be premature.
Chilean health unions suspend indefinite strike, provoking anger among workers
By Mauricio Saavedra, 15 December 2020
The number of health professionals testing positive for COVID-19 has surpassed 37,500, and 72 workers have died due to the lack of resources and protective attire.
15-year-old is assassinated while being treated in hospital in Mexico as homicides reach record levels
By Angel Andres, 15 December 2020
Local, state, and federal authorities have demonstrated a complete indifference to the terrible conditions of the working class, exacerbated by the raging COVID-19 pandemic.
Widespread protests by essential workers across Canada over COVID-19 safety
Workers Struggles: The Americas
15 December 2020
Health care workers in Ontario, Alberta and other provinces have protested inadequate COVID-19 safety measures while the disease is once again infecting hundreds at meatpacking plants.
Migrant caravan of workers displaced by hurricanes departs Honduras
By Andrea Lobo, 11 December 2020
The migrants are escaping the destruction of their homes and livelihoods by back-to-back, record-setting storms that have left more than 400,000 Hondurans and Guatemalans living in shelters.
Anti-Chinese campaign casts doubt over vaccinations as second COVID-19 wave batters Brazil
By Miguel Andrade, 10 December 2020
Bolsonaro has repeatedly railed against the CoronaVac vaccine being produced in the country in cooperation with a Chinese company, as several regions are approaching a healthcare system collapse.
US war threats mount against Iran and Venezuela with six weeks remaining in Trump term
By Bill Van Auken, 8 December 2020
US ultimatums over fuel and arms shipments between Iran and Venezuela have escalated the danger of a military provocation as Trump attempts to overturn the US presidential election.
Pentagon to Biden: Latin America a major battlefield in war with China
By Bill Van Auken, 5 December 2020
The chief of the US Southern Command warned Wednesday that US imperialism’s “competitive edge” is eroding as a result of growing Chinese influence in the Western Hemisphere.
Medical workers protest across Mexico as President AMLO continues to downplay pandemic
By Andrea Lobo, 5 December 2020
After suffering nearly 150,000 infections and 2,000 deaths, health care workers are demonstrating against unsafe conditions, lack of pay and for other demands.
999 Pentagon warns about China in Latin America
4 December 2020
Candidate of Brazil’s pseudo-left PSOL loses in São Paulo as party prepares new betrayals
By Tomas Castanheira, 4 December 2020
Guilherme Boulos’ PSOL is preparing to play the same role in Brazil as Syriza did in Greece, and Podemos in Spain.
Chilean public health workers go on indefinite national strike
By Mauricio Saavedra, 2 December 2020
The strike is part of a wave of mobilizations reignited in the second half of November calling for the resignation of the nation’s hated ultra-right President Sebastián Piñera.
Health care workers and teachers strikes across the Americas over COVID-19 protections, funding
Workers Struggles: The Americas
1 December 2020
Chilean health care workers are protesting for more funding from the government to fight COVID-19 while teachers in Mexico and Peru struck and demonstrated over pay and budgetary support and Washington state health care workers demand adequate staffing and PPE.
Barbaric murder by Brazilian security guards sparks protests, repression
By Miguel Andrade, 30 November 2020
João Alberto Freitas was beaten to death by two guards at a Carrefour supermarket in the city of Porto Alegre, sparking protests across Brazil.
Argentine football star Diego Maradona mourned worldwide
By Rafael Azul and Andrea Lobo, 30 November 2020
Beyond the mark he made on the history of football, Maradona’s hostility to inequality and imperialism won him sympathy from wide layers of workers and youth internationally.
28 November 2020
Brazilian government intensifies herd immunity campaign amid new COVID-19 surge
By Eduardo Parati, 28 November 2020
With the beginning of the second wave, Bolsonaro is carrying out an anti-vaccine campaign, while state governments align their policies to a de facto herd immunity policy.
Medical workers strike across Latin America over pandemic-related issues
Workers Struggles: The Americas
24 November 2020
Health care workers in Argentina, hospital workers in Chile along with medical staff in Uruguay and Paraguay have conducted strikes and protests over inadequate government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guatemalan government cracks down on anti-austerity protests
By Andrea Lobo, 23 November 2020
Protests broke out over the weekend against austerity measures being brutally imposed during a social crisis exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and Hurricanes Eta and Iota.
Brazilian state of Amapá on brink of social explosion after 18-day blackout
By Tomas Castanheira, 21 November 2020
The lack of electricity, water and other basic services led to a wave of more than 100 protests in the state.
Mexican General Cienfuegos walks free after US drops drug charges
By Andrea Lobo and Don Knowland, 21 November 2020
The ex-defense secretary was airlifted to Mexico by the US government and allowed to walk out of the Toluca Airport as a free citizen, under no travel restraints.
Municipal elections expose rightward turn of Brazilian ruling class
By Tomas Castanheira, 19 November 2020
The elections were marked by both the discrediting of Brazil’s political system in the eyes of the working class and fascistic attacks on the democratic process.
Tens of thousands pay homage to youth slain by police as Peru swears in third president in a week
By Cesar Uco, 19 November 2020
Thousands of youth held vigils Monday evening in Peru’s major cities in memory of the two young students killed by the Peruvian National Police (PNP).
999 Brazil municipal elections
18 November 2020
One-day strike called by Buenos Aires doctors, Chilean health care workers stage protests
Workers Struggles: The Americas
17 November 2020
Doctors in Buenos Aires are set to strike November 17 over an insufficient pay offer while health care workers in Chile struck November 12 and 13 demanding upgrades to the system.
Morenoites dismiss Trump coup attempt, while sowing illusions in Biden
By Miguel Andrade, 17 November 2020
The Morenoites’ Izquierda Diaro has lined up with the Democrats in dismissing Trump’s attempt to nullify the US election as of no significance.
Second major hurricane hits Central America in two weeks
By Andrea Lobo, 17 November 2020
Combined with the pandemic and the effects of storm Eta, Category 5 Hurricane Iota is expected to greatly deepen an ongoing humanitarian crisis and mass migration.
Peruvian government falls after two killed in anti-impeachment protests
By Cesar Uco and Bill Van Auken, 16 November 2020
Mass outrage over the deadly repression of protests triggered by the coup-like impeachment of President Vizcarra has forced the resignation of his successor.
Workers Party pushes back-to-school campaign amid warnings of second COVID-19 wave in Brazil
By Eduardo Parati, 13 November 2020
The reopening being carried out by state governors and the precarious conditions faced by the majority are creating the perfect conditions for an even deadlier coronavirus surge.
Thousands protest in Peru against impeachment, pandemic and economic implosion
By Rafael Azul, 12 November 2020
In Lima, Peru’s capital, the decision to replace Martín Vizcarra with Manuel Merino brought many people into the streets.
Mexican president refuses to recognize Biden victory
By Andrea Lobo, 12 November 2020
To the extent that he is hedging his bets on Trump’s staying in power, AMLO’s stance should caution against any skepticism about the threat of a coup to overturn the US election.
MAS inaugurates right-wing government in Bolivia
By Tomas Castanheira, 11 November 2020
The same day Evo Morales returned to Bolivia, the new government installed a pro-austerity cabinet.
Puerto Rico holds elections for new governor
By Julio Patron, 10 November 2020
Elections in Puerto Rico saw a sharp decline in votes for the two main ruling parties, reflecting growing popular distrust and contempt toward the entire political establishment.
Hundreds dead and missing after Eta devastates Central America and southern Mexico
By Andrea Lobo, 10 November 2020
As of this writing, 98 people have been found dead and 187 have been reported missing, while many more casualties are feared as rescuers reach isolated communities.
As Brazil’s Bolsonaro remains silent, the Workers Party and pseudo-left hail Biden victory
By Tomas Castanheira, 10 November 2020
Aligned with the interests of significant sectors of the Brazilian ruling class, the PT and its pseudo-left supporters enthusiastically celebrated Biden’s election.
Former Mexican military chief pleads not guilty to US drug trafficking charges
By Andrea Lobo, 9 November 2020
The Cienfuegos case has sent shockwaves through the Mexican ruling elite, while raising suspicions about the roles played by the López Obrador government and Washington.
MAS denounces dynamite attack against Bolivia’s President-elect Luis Arce
By Tomas Castanheira, 7 November 2020
MAS has stated that newly elected president Luis Arce was the target of a bomb attack Thursday night at the party’s La Paz headquarters.
Hospital fire in Brazil exposes criminal neglect of workers’ lives
By Brunna Machado, 5 November 2020
A fire at a hospital in the state of Rio de Janeiro resulted in the deaths of eight people, at least three of them COVID-19 patients.
Trump administration detained over 500,000 immigrant children in three years
By Norissa Santa Cruz, 4 November 2020
New data shows that The Trump administration has detained half a million children, with over 250,000 in 2019 alone. Other revelations point to numerous Central American children being illegally sent to Mexico.
Fascist protests in Bolivia demand overturning of presidential election
By Tomas Castanheira, 4 November 2020
Last night, a street council called by fascists in Santa Cruz demanded the overturning of the recent election and a military takeover.
Record-setting Hurricane Eta batters Central America
By Andrea Lobo, 4 November 2020
In an already record-setting 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Hurricane Eta is expected to cause devastating flooding and landslides as it cuts a path through Central America.
US mercenary exposes Trump administration links to abortive Venezuela invasion
By Bill Van Auken, 3 November 2020
The former special forces operative’s charges came in a breach of contract suit against a chief advisor to Washington’s Venezuelan puppet Juan Guaidó.
Jacobin distorts Morales interview to cover for MAS’s turn to right in Bolivia
By Andrea Lobo, 3 November 2020
Jacobin has sought to present the MAS electoral victory as a sign of a “progressive” tide that renders unnecessary any independent political mobilization of workers.
Tens of thousands of Argentine workers and youth protest brutal repression of homeless families
Workers Struggles: The Americas
2 November 2020
Tens of thousands of workers and young people protested October 29 over the savage expulsion of homeless families.
Brazilian armed forces conduct unprecedented military exercises amid US threats to Venezuela
By Gabriel Lemos, 2 November 2020
Bolsonaro’s Foreign Ministry last Friday classified as “secret” cables about Pompeo’s trip to Brazil, which took place during war games in Brazil and Colombia.
A reply to the Morenoites on support for militarization of Brazilian elections
By Statement of the Socialist Equality Group (Brazil), 31 October 2020
The slanderous rant sent to the WSWS by the editor of the Brazilian edition of the Morenoite Izquierda Diario website exposes his own organization’s hostility to Trotskyism.
The WSWS and the fight for revolutionary leadership in Latin America
By Tomas Castanheira, 30 October 2020
The WSWS, in its new and more advanced form, is going to interact with the developing struggles of workers and youth in Latin America.
US threatens military strikes against Iran and Venezuela
By Bill Van Auken, 29 October 2020
Washington has indicated it is prepared to use armed force to prevent Iran from selling weapons to Venezuela, potentially attacking both countries.
Peru’s political crisis deepens with second motion to impeach President Vizcarra
By Cesar Uco, 28 October 2020
The political conflict reflects the crisis of the entire Peruvian ruling class as it confronts the country’s worst recession in decades along with the rising death toll from COVID-19.
The constitutional referendum and class struggle in Chile
By Mauricio Saavedra, 27 October 2020
Chile’s parliamentary “left” set itself the task of redirecting the explosive mass struggles into the safe parameters of parliamentary politics by promoting the referendum.
Quebec nurses stage blockade to protest brutal conditions
Workers Struggles: The Americas
27 October 2020
Quebec nurses blocked key bridges into Montreal and Quebec City to press contract demands including lower patient staff ratios and less oppressive shift schedules in the midst of a resurgent pandemic.
The MAS victory in Bolivia and bourgeois nationalism’s betrayals in Latin America
By Tomas Castanheira, 27 October 2020
The return of the MAS to power in Bolivia is being celebrated by the demoralized bourgeois nationalist parties and the pseudo-left as a political turning point in the region.
Brazilian Morenoites support pro-military parties in mayoral elections
By Miguel Andrade, 27 October 2020
The approaching mayoral elections are exposing all the political forces that claimed a vote for the Workers Party against Bolsonaro in 2018 would advance an “anti-fascist” struggle
Buenos Aires health care workers stage protest
Workers Struggles: The Americas
20 October 2020
Health care sector worker in Buenos Aires, Argentina march to the city government offices to press demands for nurses to attain permanent professional status, emergency raises and additional staffing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coup regime in Bolivia concedes electoral victory to MAS
By Andrea Lobo, 20 October 2020
The ruling class sees a MAS administration as necessary to politically disarm growing workers’ struggles against its devastating response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The pandemic is not over yet”
Brazilian nurse speaks out against closure of COVID hospital and firing of 300 employees
By Tomas Castanheira, 19 October 2020
The workers of the Castanhal Regional Hospital carried out a protest last Thursday demanding their jobs back and the payment of overdue salaries.
Chilean government mobilizes police and military on anniversary of social revolt
By Mauricio Saavedra, 19 October 2020
In response to planned demonstrations, Chile’s ultra-right government is placing tens of thousands of militarized Carabineros police, Special Forces and military troops on alert.
Brazil’s COVID-19 deaths pass 150,000 mark amid back-to-school campaign
By Eduardo Parati and Gabriel Lemos, 17 October 2020
After reaching the grim milestone, state governments are following Bolsonaro’s homicidal back-to-school policies with the support of the unions.
Former Chilean Health Minister charged with falsifying COVID-19 figures
By Mauricio Saavedra, 15 October 2020
The ultra-right government of billionaire President Piñera criminally mishandled the pandemic, inflicting suffering upon the most oppressed layers of the population.
Civil war elections in Bolivia
By Tomas Castanheira, 14 October 2020
Áñez is using her state position to outlaw the MAS opposition and mobilize fascistic forces among the military against the working masses.
220 Repression of Chile health care workers
14 October 2020
Costa Rican workers protest IMF austerity talks; Two Haitian students die in jobs protests
Workers Struggles: The Americas
13 October 2020
Workers set up road blocks across Costa Rica over government talks with the IMF while at least two university students in Haiti have died during protests over lack of job openings for graduates.
Colombia’s ex-president Uribe freed from house arrest to lead right-wing repression
By Andrea Lobo, 13 October 2020
The release was the result of pressures from President Iván Duque’s administration, as well as from the White House.
Brazil’s Workers Party promotes military police in mayoral elections
By Miguel Andrade, 10 October 2020
The mayoral elections to be held in Brazil in November and December are laying bare the turn by all factions of the ruling class to the hated Brazilian military.
As Brazil’s inequality soars, ruling elite sets racialist trap for the working class
By Tomas Castanheira, 8 October 2020
The efforts of the pseudo left and bourgeois parties like the PT to divide the working class along racial, gender and national lines feed the growth of fascistic forces.
Honduran migrant caravan broken up by Guatemalan troops, as devastation grows across Central America
By Andrea Lobo, 7 October 2020
The caravan, disbanded with the assistance of the Mexican government, signals that growing layers of the population in Honduras and the region have reached a new level of social desperation.
Protests erupt in Chile after police throw 16-year-old off bridge
By Mauricio Saavedra, 6 October 2020
Chile’s murderous police violence proves that all of the tensions that gave rise to the social convulsions one year ago have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health care workers stage strikes, protests in Chile and Argentina
By Mauricio Saavedra, 3 October 2020
According to Amnesty International, of the 7,000 health professionals in the world who have died after contracting COVID-19, more than a third are from the Americas.
US deploys missile destroyer off coast of Venezuela
By Bill Van Auken, 3 October 2020
The military provocation has come amid a wave of new sanctions against both Venezuela and Iran, which is supplying the South American country with vital fuel supplies.
Union shuts down Brazilian postal workers’ strike after court paves way for privatization
By Gabriel Lemos, 30 September 2020
The postal union federations kept the 35-day strike isolated, subordinating the workers’ struggle to the capitalist courts.
Police attack protests in Honduras, Mexico and Chile while labor unrest spreads in Brazil and Argentina
Workers Struggles: The Americas
29 September 2020
Protesting health care workers in Chile and teachers in Mexico faced police repression while call center workers in Cordoba, Argentina and transit workers in Recife, Brazil have launched strikes.
The world has reached the grim milestone of one million COVID-19 deaths
By Benjamin Mateus, 28 September 2020
With some 33 million infected out of nearly eight billion people, “herd immunity” remains a distant prospect and winter could bring conditions for a rapid resurgence of the pandemic.
Killing by Colombian military escalates protests against state violence
By Andrea Lobo, 26 September 2020
The wave of unrest is merging with opposition to the devastation caused by the state’s counter-insurrectionary war, which has killed more than 200,000 civilians.
Brazilian educators call strikes against homicidal reopening of schools
By Tomas Castanheira, 26 September 2020
The efforts of Brazil’s ruling elite to reopen schools amid the catastrophic spread of COVID-19 are being met with a growing wave of resistance.
Police repression continues during national strike in Colombia
By Andrea Lobo, 24 September 2020
Police violently broke up the mass demonstration in Bogotá, confirming the continued drive of the Ivan Duque administration and the entire Colombian ruling class toward dictatorship.
Brazil’s mayoral elections expose major parties’ rightward lurch
By Miguel Andrade, 23 September 2020
The Brazilian ruling class is attempting to use the elections to channel the massive opposition to Bolsonaro behind “national unity” and the military.
Ten thousand Quebec home daycare workers strike; Mexican professors demand back wages
Workers Struggles: The Americas
22 September 2020
Quebec home daycare workers began an unlimited strike Monday while instructors in Zacatecas, Mexico began a strike at the state’s 43 Bachelors College campuses on September 17.
US, Colombia stage war games as Pompeo threatens Venezuela
By Bill Van Auken, 19 September 2020
Pompeo’s Latin American tour is aimed both at escalating aggression against Venezuela and countering China’s influence in the region.
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