South and Central America
Teachers in widespread walkouts in Mexico
By Don Knowland, 19 May 2016
The strike is in opposition to a 2013 law that established gave new powers to the government to monitor, test and fire teachers en masse.
Maduro government imposes state of emergency in Venezuela
By Bill Van Auken, 17 May 2016
While the Venezuelan president said that the decree was aimed at “international and national threats,” the most pressing challenge to his government comes from the working class.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
17 May 2016
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Brazil’s impeachment and the fall of the Workers Party
By Bill Van Auken, 14 May 2016
The sharp turn to the right in Brazil and the immense dangers confronting the working class were prepared for over a decade by the politics of the Workers Party.
Brazil Senate vote ousts Workers Party President Dilma Rousseff
By Bill Van Auken, 12 May 2016
The government being formed by Michel Temer has been brought to power to carry out a frontal assault on the Brazilian working class.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
10 May 2016
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Leader of Brazil impeachment drive sacked over corruption
By Bill Van Auken, 6 May 2016
The removal of Eduardo Cunha, second in line of succession to the presidency, raises the specter of a constitutional breakdown.
May Day 2016: The US-China conflict and the political crisis in Latin America
By Bill Van Auken, 5 May 2016
Bill Van Auken, Latin America editor of the WSWS, delivered the following speech to the International Online May Day Rally.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
3 May 2016
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US backs police purge in Honduras
By Andrea Lobo, 23 April 2016
The purge in the National Police is in line with increased militarization and more repressive measures in Honduras.
Thirteen Mexican oil workers reported killed with toll rising at Pemex plant
By Bill Van Auken, 22 April 2016
The plant was turned over to Mexichem as part of the government’s privatization drive, and workers reported that safety and maintenance had been neglected.
Brazil’s impeachment crisis and the debacle of the Workers Party
By Bill Van Auken, 19 April 2016
The vote to proceed with the impeachment of Rousseff marks the end of a political era and the opening up of a new period of intense class struggle in Latin America’s largest country.
Brazilian congress votes to impeach PT President Rousseff
By Miguel Andrade, 18 April 2016
The PT’s inability to counter the reactionary alliance of forces with a “there will be no coup” campaign leading up to the vote is an indictment of the party and its politics.
Ecuador earthquake kills hundreds
By Tom Eley, 18 April 2016
Hindered by an absence of earthmoving equipment, desperate residents dug through debris with their hands, as those trapped under rubble called out for help.
Eighteen teachers jailed as police crack down on protests in Mexico
By Neil Hardt, 18 April 2016
Thousands of teachers mobilized across the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guerrero, Michoacán and Veracruz against President Peña Nieto’s education reform plan.
New testimony exposes Mexican government’s complicity in Ayotzinapa massacre
By Neil Hardt, 16 April 2016
Previously unreported testimony shows that federal police were involved in the September 2014 attacks that resulted in the disappearance of 43 student teachers.
FMLN government escalates repression amid civil war-level violence in El Salvador
By Andrea Lobo, 14 April 2016
While most of the violence terrorizing Salvadoran communities is linked to the government, FMLN in power has consistently used it to justify greater austerity and militarization.
Mexican Nissan workers in two-day strike
By Shannon Jones, 5 April 2016
The walkout by more than 5,000 workers brought production to a halt at the Nissan plant in the industrial City of the Valley of Cuernavaca.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
5 April 2016
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The Brazilian “More Doctors” program’s dilemma
By Pablo Gomes, 4 April 2016
The Brazilian government’s solution to the lack of health care in the small towns and rural areas was to “import” doctors from overseas, mainly Cubans.
Mexican government obstructs investigation into disappearance of the Ayotzinapa 43
By Don Knowland, 4 April 2016
The Mexican government is threatening to shut down an investigation by independent experts of the disappearance of the student teachers and seeks to buy off their parents.
The drive to impeachment and the dangers facing the Brazilian working class
By Bill Van Auken, 1 April 2016
The attempt to oust Rousseff and the PT over corruption is driven by the demand of Brazilian and foreign capital for an acceleration of ongoing attacks on workers’ living standards.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
29 March 2016
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Obama hails Macri’s attacks on Argentine workers
By Rafael Azul, 24 March 2016
Obama’s trip is aimed at cementing closer military and economic relations with the right-wing Macri government.
Obama in Cuba
By Bill Van Auken, 22 March 2016
Obama’s “human rights” masquerade is aided and abetted not only by the slavish US media, but also by the Castro government itself.
Castro government welcomes Obama, US corporate heads to Cuba
By Alexander Fangmann, 21 March 2016
Leading a delegation of over 1,000 US politicians and business executives, Obama’s visit represents a substantial move to bring Cuba under the direct sway of US imperialism.
Argentina: President Macri’s first 100 days
By Rafael Azul, 19 March 2016
The antidemocratic and austerity measures enacted by the Macri administration are in continuity with those of the Videla junta 40 years ago.
Millions join protests in Brazil demanding ouster of Workers Party government
By Bill Van Auken, 15 March 2016
The mass demonstrations came as new figures showed the country’s economy sliding deeper into depression.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
15 March 2016
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Peña Nieto joins Mexican ex-presidents in denouncing Trump
By Bill Van Auken, 8 March 2016
The right-wing representatives of the Mexican bourgeoisie fear that Trump’s campaign will interfere with their collaboration with Washington.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
8 March 2016
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
1 March 2016
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Bolivians reject fourth term for Evo Morales in constitutional referendum
By Neil Hardt, 24 February 2016
The “no” vote, which prevents Morales from running in 2019, took place in the midst of escalating social and geopolitical tensions in the impoverished Andean country.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
23 February 2016
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Obama to make March trip to Cuba
By Bill Van Auken, 19 February 2016
Emphasizing Obama’s intention to meet with “dissidents” and “entrepreneurs,” the White House made clear that the trip is part of a policy aimed at restoring US control over Cuba.
Coup threatened in Venezuela amidst deepening economic crisis
By Eric London, 15 February 2016
In the midst of skyrocketing inflation, food scarcity and economic stagnation, the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable is maneuvering for the removal of Maduro.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
2 February 2016
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World Bank documents growth of “ninis” in Latin America: Youth neither working nor in school
By Kevin Martinez, 1 February 2016
At least 20 million young people in Latin America and the Caribbean are neither studying nor working despite the region being touted as a economic “success story.”
Workers Struggles: The Americas
27 January 2016
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
26 January 2016
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Brazilian government represses Sao Paulo fare hike protests
By Armando Cruz, 25 January 2016
The fare hikes are part of a year-long attack on the living standards of the population, designed to placate the international banks.
Supreme Court to rule on Obama immigration program
By Bill Van Auken, 20 January 2016
The court’s announcement came amid rising anger and fear over the roundup and deportation of Central American refugees.
Workers Struggles: the Americas
19 January 2016
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Pentagon calls for “pivot” to target Latin America
By Bill Van Auken, 13 January 2016
The calls from within the military envision a struggle with China over domination of the hemisphere.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
12 January 2016
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
5 January 2016
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
22 December 2015
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
15 December 2015
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A reply to discussion on the Venezuelan elections
By Bill Van Auken, 14 December 2015
The burning question posed in Latin America is that of revolutionary leadership: the building of new parties based on the struggle for the political independence of the working class.
The Venezuelan elections and the dead end of Latin America’s “turn to the left”
By Bill Van Auken, 11 December 2015
The defeat suffered by the ruling chavistas in Venezuela is part of a growing crisis of the so-called “left” bourgeois parties throughout Latin America.
Maduro government suffers steep electoral losses to Venezuelan right
By Bill Van Auken, 8 December 2015
The election results will drive the Maduro government further to the right, while opening up a crisis within the chavista movement.
Chilean military exercises fuel tensions with Bolivia and Peru
By Cesar Uco, 8 December 2015
The exercises took place under conditions in which both Peru and Bolivia have won favorable rulings from the International Court of Justice in territorial disputes with Chile.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
8 December 2015
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
1 December 2015
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
17 November 2015
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
11 November 2015
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
3 November 2015
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
27 October 2015
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Haiti: UN Security Council votes to extend by a year its military presence
By John Marion, 21 October 2015
While claiming to promote “security” and fight gangs, the UN and Washington are worried about public unrest during the upcoming elections.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
20 October 2015
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
6 October 2015
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Pope Francis to Cubans: “avoid ideology”…or else!
By Rafael Azul, 23 September 2015
True to his personal history, Pope Francis warns workers and youth to stay away from revolutionary socialism.
Large demonstrations in Ecuador against Correa government
By our reporter, 15 August 2015
As thousands of workers and indigenous peasants descended on Quito, the Bolivarian government of Rafael Correa sent police to attack the demonstrators.
Economic slowdown in Peru ignites social tensions
By Cesar Uco, 1 August 2015
Two out of three Peruvians report being unable to live off of their salaries, while just 113 families monopolize 46 percent of the country’s wealth.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
28 July 2015
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Dramatic drop in profits for largest corporations in Latin America
By Cesar Uco, 23 July 2015
The latest figures confirm the fact that the so-called emerging markets are unable to offset the drop in production and consumption in the US and the EU.
Hundreds of thousands of Haitians face deportation from the Dominican Republic
By John Marion, 23 June 2015
With the passing of a deadline in the Dominican Republic for Haitians to apply for regularization of their immigration status, many thousands are now effectively stateless.
Peru’s mining protests suspended amid evidence of leadership’s corruption
By Cesar Uco, 16 June 2015
The most prominent leader of the protests had apparently demanded money in return for calling off the mass struggle against the Tia Maria mine project.
Mexican elections held under conditions of police-military siege
By Rafael Azul, 9 June 2015
The government of President Peña Nieto mobilized military and police forces across Mexico to prevent protests by teachers and youth.
Chinese premier concludes four-country tour of South America
By Alexander Fangmann, 30 May 2015
The trip yielded a variety of trade and investment deals, along with infrastructure initiatives—all aimed at counteracting slowing domestic growth while expanding influence in the region.
Colombian peace talks continue amid renewed combat
By Bill Van Auken, 30 May 2015
The Colombian government dispatched its foreign minister and one of the country’s most prominent capitalists in an attempt to salvage the negotiations with the FARC.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
12 May 2015
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
26 April 2015
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
19 April 2015
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Petrobras crisis intensifies as treasurer of Brazil’s Workers Party arrested
By Bill Van Auken, 17 April 2015
The response of the Rousseff government to the crisis has been to move even further to the right, while handing over key functions of her presidency to right-wing figures.
Obama, Castro to meet at Americas summit
By Bill Van Auken, 11 April 2015
The meeting, the first between top US and Cuban officials in nearly six decades, is part of a rapprochement between Washington and Havana.
Brazil’s government vows “huge cuts” as economic crisis intensifies
By Bill Van Auken, 2 April 2015
Faced with a massive corruption scandal and rising pressure from the right, President Rousseff is embarking on another round of austerity measures.
Six months since the disappearance of the 43 Mexican students
By Rafael Azul, 2 April 2015
Thousands marched and rallied in Mexico City demanding justice for the disappeared rural student teachers.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
22 March 2015
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Puerto Rico: Regressive taxes levied on workers as island’s economy falters
By John Marion, 2 March 2015
Predatory financiers are creating tax havens in Puerto Rico and using the federal courts to protect their interests.
Rightist mayor faces coup charges as Venezuela’s crisis deepens
By Bill Van Auken, 25 February 2015
While there is no doubt that the US and the Venezuelan right are up to their necks in plots, the principal conspiracy is aimed against the country’s working class.
White House outlines policy for deepening intervention in Central America
By Matthew Brennan, 19 February 2015
The Obama administration’s rhetoric about democracy and immigration reform masks US imperialism’s real aims in the region.
Peru’s currency falls sharply amidst economic crisis
By Cesar Uco, 2 February 2015
The most significant cause of the deterioration of the Peruvian economy is the sharp drop in copper exports caused by a slowdown in global demand.
First round of US-Cuba talks end as restrictions eased
By Alexander Fangmann, 26 January 2015
While deep disagreements remain between the regimes in Havana and Washington, the movement towards the resumption of relations continues at great speed.
Haiti earthquake relief funds unaccounted for amid pervasive human misery
By John Marion, 20 January 2015
While the US refuses to account for earthquake reconstruction funds it promised, hundreds of thousands in Port-au-Prince are still without secure shelter.
Cleveland police gave 12-year-old Tamir Rice no medical aid after shooting him
By Nick Barrickman, 10 January 2015
Police tackled and handcuffed the boy’s 14-year-old sister as she attempted to run to her brother’s side.
Mexico intensifies persecution of Central American immigrants
By Adam Mclean, 24 December 2014
The Peña Nieto government’s crackdown on immigrants is being carried out in direct collaboration with the Obama administration.
Brazilian commission details murder and torture by US-backed dictatorship
By Bill Van Auken, 11 December 2014
Even as she broke into tears at a ceremony accepting the report, President Rousseff reiterated her government’s support for an amnesty for military killers and torturers.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
9 December 2014
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Venezuela announces budget cuts and other financial measures in the wake of OPEC decision
By Alexander Fangmann, 6 December 2014
Relying heavily on income from oil production, the OPEC decision to maintain low oil prices has exacerbated Venezuela’s financial and political crisis.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
25 November 2014
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
4 November 2014
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Municipal elections a debacle for Peruvian “left”
By Armando Cruz, 21 October 2014
The right-wing candidate Luis Castañeda, a former two-term mayor of Lima, was swept back into office in the Peruvian capital.
Tens of thousands protest massacre of Mexican student teachers
By Rafael Azul, 10 October 2014
The killings have triggered a tidal wave of national anger that threatens the stability of the government of President Enrique Peña Nieto.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
23 September 2014
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Brazil’s Workers Party faces tightest election in over a decade
By Bill Van Auken, 18 September 2014
Less than three weeks before the first-round vote, a projected runoff between incumbent President Rousseff and challenger Marina Silva is too close to call.
The human cost of deportations
What happens to Obama’s deported children and youth?
By Norisa Diaz and Marc Wells, 9 September 2014
Immigrants deported back to Central America face extreme violence and poverty. These are some of their stories.
Argentine general strike hits rising prices and job cuts
By Bill Van Auken, 29 August 2014
The government, which has adopted a nationalist pose in relation to US hedge funds, denounced the workers for staging a “political” strike.
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