The 2016 Latin America Conference came at a crucial period as the region confronted coups, neoliberal resurgences, pivotal peace agreements and destabilization attempts.
Over 500 people and 70 speakers attended, with topics including:
Still the US’ backyard? Latin America after the US Presidential election
Cuba: building a better world under the eye of the empire
After Chavez – The Empire Strikes Back in Venezuela
Emergency in Brazil & Argentina – repression & resistance to neo-liberalism
Europe’s crisis, Latin America and global alternatives to Neo-liberalism
A Zone of Peace – US bases out of Latin America!
What next for Mexico after 4 years under the new ‘PRI’ and President elect Trump
Nicaragua: a story of hope and inspiration and surviving against the odds and renewed US intervention
High stakes for Ecuador’s Citizen’s Revolution ahead of 2017 elections
Latin America, Free Trade Agreements & Corporate Greed
Bolivia – political and international developments
Making Black Lives Matter – Black Liberation in the Americas & the Caribbean
Paraguay : Repression & Resistance – developments since the US – backed coup
Confronting Climate Change – what now for the Paris Agreement?
The event was given added poignancy by the news that Fidel Castro, the central figure in resisting attempts by the US and elites to control Latin America had died that morning. The conference opened with a moving tribute to his legacy by Bernard Regan, and a minute’s silence from the conference floor.
The first session was a round-table featuring perspectives on Latin America after the US Elections. Contributors included journalist Victoria Brittain, Canadian academic Keith Bolender, Nicaragua’s ambassador to London Guisell Morales Echaverry and Argentinian trade unionist Gabriel Rodriguez
Morning workshops include sessions on Cuba-US relations, opposing destabilization in Venezuela, Latin American Unity through ALBA , The situation in Mexico, and the story of hope in Nicaragua.Read the rest of this entry »
Following the removal of the Dilma Rousseff as President of Brazil, the new unelected President has launched a wave of neo-liberal policies, but is facing massive resistance, writes Chris Williamson.
South America’s largest country has recently undergone massive political upheaval with the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff and the installation of right wing leader Michael Temer. Read the rest of this entry »
The last six months in Brazil have seen an immense upheaval of society since the removal of Dilma Rousseff. A spiralling corruption investigation, controversial impeachment, mass protests, growing strikes and an Olympic games held in Rio in the backdrop of an economic recession have led to a tumultuous year.
Anger is running high at the newly appointed President. Many are claiming he is acting without a mandate and are calling for new elections to take place, a measure Dilma strongly advocated whilst the impeachment was raging on.
Here are some of the most controversial policies, many implemented whilst Temer was acting on an Interim basis, that have prompted an international backlash in defence of Brazilian democracy.
With countries across in Latin America facing a resurgent right, political turmoil and the threat of external interviention, this Saturday’s Latin America Conference will be the most crucial yet.
Over 50 speakers are set to speak representing progressive movements and governments in countries across Latin America, alongside politicians, journalists, trade unionists and campaigners from Britain and around the world.
Elections took place in Nicaragua on 6 November for the Presidency, 90 National Assembly, and 20 Nicaraguan members of the Central American parliament.
Preliminary results based on the count from 66% of the polling stations give the FSLN 72.1% of the vote. The highest votes for opposition parties were PLC (Constitutionalist Liberal Party) with 14% of the vote and the PLI (Independent Liberal Party) with 5%. Read the rest of this entry »
International solidarity is vital in coming months
CSC is concerned about the results of the US presidential elections and what they will mean for the future of Cuba-US relations when President Obama leaves office in January 2017.
The election of Donald Trump with Republican Party majorities in both houses of Congress threaten to undo recent improvements in Cuba-US relations. Read the rest of this entry »
