South and Central America
General strike and ongoing protests in Panama against electricity rate hike
By Andrea Lobo, 19 July 2018
As militancy grows among construction workers, teachers and the public sector as a whole, the trade unions are struggling to contain social opposition against new rate hikes and social austerity.
Ecuador’s government negotiating Julian Assange’s fate with the UK
By Bill Van Auken, 12 July 2018
The statements by Ecuador’s president and foreign minister come amid growing signs of Quito’s bowing to pressure from Washington.
Nicaragua sees bloodiest clashes yet after months of protest
By Bill Van Auken, 11 July 2018
Sandinista President Daniel Ortega publicly rejected calls for early elections as security forces and armed government supporters forcibly dismantled protesters’ barricades.
Mexican president-elect López Obrador embraced by Mexico’s business titans
By Don Knowland, 6 July 2018
Now that AMLO has won the election, he and Mexico’s most powerful business heads are going out of their way to promise they will work together for the “greater good.”
Mexico’s election deals devastating blow to old ruling parties
By Don Knowland, 3 July 2018
The sweep by López Obrador and his MORENA-led coalition is a debacle for the PRI, which governed the country from 1929 to 2000, and again for the last six years.
Less than 100 days before elections, half of Brazilians support no candidate
By Miguel Andrade, 3 July 2018
With just a 3 percent approval rating for current president Michel Temer, there is widespread distrust in the entire political system, which is moving sharply to the right.
Massive victory for Andrés Manuel López Obrador in Mexican elections
By Rafael Azul, 2 July 2018
The large support for AMLO and his Morena party is the product of widespread hostility to poverty, inequality, corruption and the militarization of society.
US financial board spars with Puerto Rican authorities over how best to pillage island
By Genevieve Leigh, 2 July 2018
Wall Street demands a fresh round of budget cuts as the social crisis on the US territory deepens.
Vice-President Pence threatens immigrants, Assange, and Venezuela during Latin America tour
By Andrea Lobo, 2 July 2018
Facing a popular outcry against inhumane treatment of immigrants, Pence pressed for policies that will only exacerbate the desperate conditions pushing thousands to flee north.
Leadership of Argentina’s Partido Obrero maintains silence on ties to right-wing Russian nationalism
By Bill Van Auken, 29 June 2018
As more information emerges about the right-wing connections of the Russian Stalinist introduced as a “comrade” in “refounding the Fourth International,” the leadership of the PO has maintained complete silence.
Far-right candidate elected as Colombia becomes NATO “global partner”
By Andrea Lobo, 27 June 2018
Parallel to the rise of far-right forces in Europe and the US, the coming to power of Iván Duque represents a stark warning for workers in Colombia.
Lopez Obrador maintains large lead in Mexican presidential election polls
By Don Knowland, 27 June 2018
Morena and its coalition could sweep Congress, and threaten the continued viability of other parties.
Argentine workers stage massive general strike against Macri’s austerity policies
By Rafael Azul, 26 June 2018
Total work stoppages shut down municipal transit, banks and airports throughout Argentina Monday.
Peru’s new president Vizcarra joins with Fujimorista opposition to impose austerity
By Armando Cruz, 25 June 2018
The Vizcarra-Villanueva government intends to impose the new cuts to government spending and new taxes on the working population being demanded by international finance.
Parents of 43 disappeared Mexican students demand reopening of investigation
By Rafael Azul, 12 June 2018
A panel of judges found that the original investigation of the Ayotzinapa case was incomplete and fraudulent.
Workers Party in Argentina seeks to “refound” Fourth International in alliance with Stalinism
By Eric London and Bill Van Auken, 7 June 2018
The attempt to create an international tendency based on suppressing the lessons of the history of the Fourth International can result only in the betrayal of the working class.
Death toll rises as volcanic eruption buries entire towns in Guatemala
By Andrea Lobo, 5 June 2018
When such natural disasters strike a society built on capitalist exploitation and extreme inequality, the poorest and most vulnerable always pay the heaviest price.
Petrobras chief resigns as Brazilian truckers end strike
By Miguel Andrade, 4 June 2018
The truckers' blockades were supported by an overwhelming majority as an act of resistance against the economic suffering endured by hundreds of millions of Brazilians.
At least eight dead after shooters fire on mass Mother’s Day demonstration in Nicaragua
By Andrea Lobo, 2 June 2018
The violent crackdown on what was likely the largest single demonstration since 1979 is a growing sign of escalation.
Argentina’s Socialist Workers Party (PTS) denounces Brazilian truckers strike
By Eric London, 1 June 2018
The PTS labeled the strike as right-wing, solidarizing itself with the government’s repressive measures.
Brazilian truck drivers reject union-government attempt to shut down strike
By Eric London and Miguel Andrade, 30 May 2018
The government has sought to block the spread of social unrest with a ruling Tuesday that a planned strike by oil workers is illegal.
Truckers strike brings Brazil to brink of collapse
By Gabriel Lemos, 28 May 2018
The Temer government has granted authority to the military to exercise police powers throughout the country, in a bid to break the strike.
So far from God, so close to the United States…
The second Mexican presidential debate and the crisis of bourgeois rule
By Rafael Azul, 24 May 2018
This second debate indicates, more clearly than the first, that there is nothing here for Mexican workers.
Argentina: Buenos Aires police attack striking transit workers
By Rafael Azul, 24 May 2018
Helmeted riot police, equipped with batons and full-body shields and firing rubber bullets, invaded the subway tunnels.
Argentina to make new IMF agreement amid growing social discontent
By Eric London, 10 May 2018
An estimated 75 percent of Argentinians oppose the move, which takes place alongside broadening strikes among teachers and other workers.
Argentina: Government responds to peso crisis with panic selling of dollar reserves and interest rate increase
By Rafael Azul, 8 May 2018
The Argentinian ruling class, under pressure from Wall Street, is fearful of another situation like the 2001-2002 crisis.
São Paulo’s high-rise fire collapse tied to city’s homeless crisis
By Gabriel Lemos, 7 May 2018
The real cause of the spectacular fire and building collapse was the negligence of the state and the huge housing crisis in one of the most unequal cities in the world.
Mexican ruling class working out response to López Obrador’s lead in election polls
By Don Knowland, 7 May 2018
Heated charges and political maneuvers dominated Mexico’s electoral campaign last week as the “left” bourgeois candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador kept a 20 point lead in the polls.
First presidential debate
Mexican presidential candidates call for increased police and military activity
By Rafael Azul and Don Knowland, 3 May 2018
The debate took place in the wake of the grisly killing of three film students by gang members in Jalisco.
US election meddling in the age of the Internet
How Google, Facebook and Twitter are manipulating the Mexican presidential elections—Part 2
By Alex González and Andrea Lobo, 1 May 2018
The US military-intelligence apparatus is integrating the largest technology and Internet companies to tighten the US stranglehold over Latin America.
US election meddling in the age of the Internet
How Google, Facebook and Twitter are manipulating the Mexican presidential elections—Part 1
By Alex González and Andrea Lobo, 28 April 2018
The United States is now engaged in advanced efforts to exploit data on every voter in the country, as well as user data from Google and the social media companies, to influence the elections of its southern neighbor.
Washington announces plans to pressure Nicaragua after largest demonstrations in 40 years
By Andrea Lobo, 26 April 2018
Fearful of the growth of social opposition to IMF diktats in Central America, US imperialism is ramping up its efforts to contain the situation and advance its own reactionary agenda.
Demonstrations grow in Nicaragua after Ortega suspends pension cuts
By Andrea Lobo, 24 April 2018
Nearly 30 are dead and protests swelled yesterday even as the government announced it was temporarily canceling pension cuts.
Mexican government to deploy federal troops against immigrants on its southern border
By Michael Anders, 18 April 2018
The anti-democratic decision proves that the Mexican government is a pawn of the Trump administration.
Brazil’s ex-president Lula turns himself in to police after supreme court ruling
By Miguel Andrade, 10 April 2018
The Brazilian attorney general’s office demanded his immediate arrest out of fear he would “manipulate the masses” and destabalize the country.
Ahead of Mexican elections, social media companies, corporate press launch censorship operation
By Alex González, 5 April 2018
The #Verificado2018 campaign was launched to allegedly protect voters from Russian meddling in the upcoming July 1 general elections.
Brazil: São Paulo teachers strike against pension reform
By Gabriel Lemos, 26 March 2018
The claim that “there is no money” to meet teachers’ demands is rooted in the parasitic interests of the banks and corporations that dominate the Brazilian state.
Peru’s president and former Wall Street financier resigns amid corruption scandal
By Armando Cruz, 23 March 2018
There was a consensus among the ruling elite that the 79-year-old former Wall Street operator had become a destabilizing factor for capitalism in Peru.
Mass protests in Brazil against death squad assassination of Marielle Franco
By Miguel Andrade, 21 March 2018
While clearly serving to intimidate political opposition, Franco’s execution is being exploited by the security forces as a justification for even greater repression.
Odebrecht-related bribe revelations threaten to wipe out Peruvian political establishment
By Armando Cruz and Cesar Uco, 14 March 2018
The revelations have led many to question the political future of all the figures involved, the most visible faces of the Peruvian political class for over a generation.
Mexico’s leading presidential candidates genuflect before bankers
By Don Knowland, 13 March 2018
Supposedly left populist candidate López Obrador assured bankers he will not undermine their interests if elected.
Transnational beer corporation creates water crisis in northern Mexico
By Alex González, 10 March 2018
Constellation Brands set up beer manufacturing plants in drought-prone cities and is threatening the region with a water crisis.
US government cuts aid to Puerto Rico by half
By Antonio Castro, 3 March 2018
Amidst a mounting mental health crisis and constant power outages, the US government announced a drastic cut in aid to the island still reeling from hurricane damage.
Peru’s president proposes minimum wage hike in bid to divert impeachment drive
By Cesar Uco, 1 March 2018
The desperate populist appeal comes as the chances of Kuczynski finishing his term are dwindling, while his approval rating has fallen to 19 percent.
Brazilian army general tapped to take over law enforcement in Rio de Janeiro
By Gabriel Lemos, 26 February 2018
Under the pretext of fighting gang violence, nothing less than a path to dictatorship is being opened up in Brazil.
Brazilian army general tapped to take over law enforcement in Rio de Janeiro
By Gabriel Lemos, 22 February 2018
Under the pretext of fighting gang violence, nothing less than a path to dictatorship is being opened up in Brazil.
Honduras turns to online censorship and spyware to clamp down on protests
By Andrea Lobo, 16 February 2018
Since a brutal crackdown has not deterred protests against the regime, it has resorted to an assault on free speech online.
Venezuela warns against US military intervention as domestic crisis deepens
By Bill Van Auken, 16 February 2018
Both Colombia and Brazil have increased military deployments on Venezuela’s borders as US officials continue to signal support for a coup against the Maduro government.
US Secretary of State Tillerson threatens oil sanctions against Venezuela
By Andrea Lobo, 7 February 2018
On his tour of Latin America, Tillerson escalated US threats against Venezuela as part of a broader campaign to undermine Russian and Chinese interests in the region.
Brazil’s political crisis deepens after court upholds conviction of Lula
By Miguel Andrade, 6 February 2018
The unexpected unanimous decision by the appeals court on both the conviction of Lula and the lengthening of his jail sentence unleashed a frenzied run-up on the Sao Paulo stock exchange.
Pope preaches dogma of reaction in Latin America
By Cesar Uco, 5 February 2018
The Pope’s first stop was Chile, where he denounced parishioners as “idiots manipulated by leftists” for opposing a bishop implicated in the cover-up of child sexual abuse.
Why are a million Puerto Ricans still in the dark?
By Daniel de Vries, 2 February 2018
Even as a humanitarian crisis continues to ravage the United States’ largest territory, officials are plotting the privatization of the public electric utility.
Bolivia’s Evo Morales marks 12 years in power amid mounting social struggles
By Tomas Rodriguez, 1 February 2018
The stunning rise in profits generated by the financial sector under the Morales government stands in stark contrast to the conditions confronting the masses of Bolivians.
Brazilian metro workers hold one-day strike over privatization plans
Workers Struggles: The Americas
23 January 2018
A strike by transit workers in the city of São Paulo’s paralyzed subway transport in the city leaving many morning commuters stranded.
Mass protests in Peru over pardoning of Fujimori
By Cesar Uco, 16 January 2018
The deal reached to spare President Kuczynski impeachment in return for the pardoning of Fujimori has only deepened the crisis of bourgeois rule in Peru.
Court suspends Christmas pardon as Brazil’s jail population reaches world’s third highest
By Miguel Andrade, 13 January 2018
The last three years alone have seen 100,000 people thrown into the dungeons created by Brazil’s system of social apartheid.
Right-wing wins Chile election as “left” Broad Front joins the establishment
By Andrea Lobo, 10 January 2018
With only one-fourth of the electorate voting for Piñera, the results reflect overwhelming hostility to the entire establishment and herald a new stage in the political crisis.
Puerto Rico, more than 100 days after Hurricane Maria: The class issues
By Genevieve Leigh, 8 January 2018
The absence of planning for the hurricane and the lack of any significant response to the devastation by the local and federal governments has had deadly consequences.
Peru’s President Kuczynski pardons Fujimori after surviving impeachment
By Armando Cruz, 30 December 2017
Fujimori’s pardon has unleashed a wave of protests, mostly by young people, in the capital and other main cities.
“The government has done nothing”
Months after hurricane, Puerto Rican workers face worsening jobs crisis
By Genevieve Leigh and Zac Corrigan, 28 December 2017
The economic devastation of Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria continues to escalate three months after the storm made landfall in late September.
Trump administration congratulates “re-election” of police-state regime in Honduras
By Andrea Lobo, 23 December 2017
Washington’s announcement arrived as Honduran military police escalated their bloody repression of the nation-wide protests against the electoral fraud.
Haitian audit report on PetroCaribe corruption deepens crisis of Moïse goverment
By John Marion, 21 December 2017
Funds from the PetroCaribe agreement, intended for public works projects, were instead used to line the pockets of politically connected corporations.
Argentina’s Congress passes social security “reform” after violent crackdown on protesters
By Rafael Azul, 20 December 2017
Mass protests have erupted against the vote in the lower house for pension legislation that will slash benefits for more than 40 percent of the Argentine population.
Puerto Rico governor orders review of official hurricane death toll
By Niles Niemuth, 19 December 2017
The review comes amid growing anger on the island and media reports that the true death toll from Hurricane Maria could exceed 1,000.
Washington and Honduras seek to crush opposition to fraudulent re-election
By Andrea Lobo, 19 December 2017
The Honduran government and the OAS are coordinating with Washington to impose a fraudulent election using virtually the same methods as in the 2009 military coup.
“The poverty is no longer hidden by the trees”
Hurricane Maria exposes the conditions of life for the working class in Caguas, Puerto Rico
By Genevieve Leigh and Zac Corrigan, 18 December 2017
Workers and youth from Caguas, Puerto Rico, spoke to WSWS reporters about life without power, electricity and running water, nearly 100 days after Hurricane Maria.
Peru’s President Kuczynski facing impeachment
By Juan Gonzáles, 18 December 2017
Even as bribery and corruption charges threaten to bring down the president, an attempt is being made to strengthen the Peruvian state.
Top Peruvian businessmen arrested in Odebrecht bribery scandal
By Cesar Uco, 14 December 2017
The Odebrecht scandal has played an increasing role in deepening Peru’s economic and political crises.
Mexico’s Interior Security Law: The ruling class prepares for mass uprisings
By Alex González, 11 December 2017
The Interior Security Law is being advanced to crack down on protests and to prepare for possible military intervention in next year’s presidential elections.
“Brazilian Trump” or “Brazilian Duterte”? Media works to normalize the far-right for 2018 elections
By Miguel Andrade, 17 November 2017
The fascist congressman Jair Bolsonaro has been increasingly presented by the corporate media as “the businessmen’s choice.”
Trump administration moves toward deportation of Central American immigrants
By Bill Van Auken, 8 November 2017
Monday’s decision ends Temporary Protected Status for up to 5,000 Nicaraguans and could be the prelude to the mass deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants.
Brazil cuts science budget amid mounting yellow fever threat
By Miguel Andrade, 8 November 2017
Brazil’s Science Ministry is facing a 44 percent funding cut by the end of 2017 and another reduction of 15 percent for 2018.
Bernie Sanders tries to quell anger in Puerto Rico
By Rafael Azul, 1 November 2017
With anger against the Trump administration reaching a breaking point, Sanders urged Puerto Ricans to keep their faith in the US government.
CVS and Aetna reportedly in talks for $60 billion merger
By Tom Hall, 31 October 2017
The merger between the CVS pharmacy chain and the insurance giant is reportedly in response to Amazon’s imminent entry into the prescription drug business.
Haitian government in crisis as protests spread
By John Marion, 31 October 2017
Protests against the government of Haitian President Jovenel MoÏse, touched off by this year’s budget, are being met with violence.
Montana company with ties to Trump cashes in from Puerto Rico disaster
By Rafael Azul, 25 October 2017
Whitefish Energy, a tiny Montana company with virtually no experience in infrastructure repair, has secured a $300 million contract to help rebuild Puerto Rico’s electrical grid.
After electoral victory, Argentine president promises “most austere policies”
By Andrea Lobo, 25 October 2017
The results express a deep resentment against the 12-year Peronist rule that began the austerity drive that has only deepened under Macri.
Puerto Rico power blackout the biggest in US history
By Rafael Azul, 24 October 2017
Some 3 million people are without electricity and there are predictions that some remote parts of the mountainous island will not see power restored until next June.
Discovery of dead youth’s body raises specter of forced disappearances in Argentina
By Andrea Lobo, 23 October 2017
The case has created a sense of deep distrust towards the conservative government of President Mauricio Macri and all the official institutions involved.
Thousands continue to suffer in the wake of Mexico’s earthquakes
By Don Knowland, 18 October 2017
The September earthquakes revealed the criminality of the Mexican oligarchy and make a mockery of the president's paean to national solidarity.
Washington threatens to escalate sanctions in wake of Venezuelan regional elections
By Andrea Lobo, 18 October 2017
In response to the defeat of the US-backed right-wing opposition, Washington is preparing to push Venezuela over the brink of default.
Deaths caused by Leptospirosis reported in Puerto Rico
By Benjamin Mateus, 16 October 2017
There is a scarcity of clean water in rural communities, whose residents are resorting to washing and bathing in local rivers and springs.
50 years since the murder of Che Guevara
Including a republication of Castroism and the Politics of Petty-Bourgeois Nationalism
By Bill Van Auken, 14 October 2017
Half a century after the murder in Bolivia of the guerrilla leader, the anniversary has been exploited by various tendencies to lend a left cover to their reactionary politics and mask their own betrayals.
Trump’s photo-op in Puerto Rico
By Rafael Azul, 4 October 2017
Trump, who is proposing the largest tax cut for corporations and the rich in history, complained that the recovery effort was costing too much.
Trump visits Puerto Rico as anger grows over government response
By Rafael Azul, 3 October 2017
In contrast to the indifference of the Trump administration, people across the United States are volunteering to help residents of the hurricane-ravaged island.
Baggage-handlers’ strike at Toronto airport enters third month
Workers Struggles: The Americas
3 October 2017
Some 700 workers are striking against demands by Swissport for a three-year wage freeze, cuts to benefits and tighter control over work schedules.
Puerto Rico faces health catastrophe as Trump tweets “We have done a great job”
By Andrea Lobo, 2 October 2017
Almost two weeks after Hurricane Maria laid waste to much of Puerto Rico, many towns are still cut off from all relief efforts.
Trump to Puerto Rico: Your lives don’t matter
By Eric London, 30 September 2017
The Trump administration’s callous and incompetent response to the social disaster in Puerto Rico expresses the worldview of a financial oligarchy that sees the lives of working people as expendable.
Peru cabinet shakeup exposes crisis of rule
By Armando Cruz, 29 September 2017
The decision to remove and replace some ministries came in the aftermath of a powerful 71-day teachers’ strike.
Puerto Rican people still without aid a week after Hurricane Maria
By Rafael Azul, 28 September 2017
Puerto Rico is already under a 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. Increasingly, the question raised is whether the island will be placed under martial law.
Puerto Rico confronts the devastation wrought by hurricanes and Wall Street
By Rafael Azul, 25 September 2017
Puerto Rico is reeling not only from the catastrophic effects of hurricanes Irma and Maria, but from the predatory ravages of Wall Street.
Dam collapse threatens to kill thousands in Puerto Rico
By Rafael Azul, 23 September 2017
Three days after Hurricane Maria devastated the Island, residents are left without power and basic necessities, while an ongoing dam collapse threatens to inundate tens of thousands.
Death toll in Mexico City earthquake reaches 286
By Don Knowland, 23 September 2017
As in the hugely inadequate response of the US government to the recent hurricanes in Texas and Florida, most rescue and aid efforts after the Mexican quake fell to working class volunteers.
Puerto Rico devastated by Hurricane Maria
By Rafael Azul, 22 September 2017
As in Texas and Florida, the human suffering caused by the hurricane was exacerbated by the absence of any serious evacuation plan and the lack of public resources.
Death toll rises in Mexico City earthquake
By Alex González, 21 September 2017
The working class has mobilized to lead rescue efforts through its own self-sacrifice and solidarity.
More than 140 dead and counting as a magnitude 7.1 earthquake rocks Mexico City
By Andrea Lobo, 20 September 2017
Less than two weeks after an earthquake killed 99 people in southern Mexico, another quake has left widespread death and destruction in the continent's largest metropolis.
Mexico earthquake death toll climbs to 98
By Andrea Lobo, 18 September 2017
This historic event has exposed conditions of staggering inequality, deteriorated social infrastructure and corrupt negligence on the part of the ruling elites.
Corruption crisis engulfs all major parties in Peru
By Cesar Uco, 14 September 2017
The Odebrecht scandal is threatening to put two other former presidents behind bars and to drag down the current head of state, Pedro Pablo Kucsynski.
Strong earthquake shakes Mexico and Central America, killing at least 61
By Rafael Azul, 9 September 2017
By far the most damage was concentrated in Juchitan de Zaragoza, a city of more than one hundred thousand, the third largest in the state of Oaxaca.
Brazil’s ruling circles fear international “isolation”
By Miguel Andrade, 5 September 2017
The ambiguous international strategy being pursued by Brasilia is symptomatic of the crisis of confidence gripping ruling circles.
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