South and Central America
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.
Brazilian teachers call strikes against back-to-school drive
By Tomas Castanheira, 18 September 2020
Brazil’s fascistic President Bolsonaro declared: “We are the country with the highest number of days of lockdown of schools. This is absurd.”
Albany, New York nurses set to strike; walkout continues at Cerrejón mining complex in Colombia
Workers Struggles: The Americas
15 September 2020
Some 2,500 nurses at Albany Med are set to strike over contract issues while workers at Colombia’s Cerrejón mining complex in the La Guajira department are in the third week of a strike against threatened layoffs.
In fascistic Independence Day speech, Brazil’s Bolsonaro condemns “strikes, social disorder”
By Miguel Andrade, 14 September 2020
Bolsonaro’s rant rooted Brazil’s national identity in “fear of god, respect for the family” and the struggle for “liberty” against “communism.”
Latin America, epicenter of COVID-19 pandemic, on the brink of social explosion
By Tomas Castanheira, 12 September 2020
Latin America this week reached the grim milestones of 300,000 COVID-19 deaths and more than 8 million infections.
Mauritian cruise ship crews strike to demand repatriation
By Tom Casey, 12 September 2020
Mediterranean Shipping Company crews have been stranded on three ships near Santos port, Brazil since the industry’s COVID-19 shutdown in late March.
Colombian security forces massacre 10 youth protesting police murder
By Andrea Lobo, 11 September 2020
The massacre in Bogotá signals the willingness of the Colombian ruling elite to turn to authoritarian rule to crush social opposition in the midst of the uncontrolled pandemic.
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer slashes 2,500 jobs
By Tomas Castanheira, 8 September 2020
The Morenoite-led union is attempting to subordinate workers to the Brazilian state and its military.
Brazilian postal workers wage bitter strike against wage cuts, privatization
By Gabriel Lemos, 7 September 2020
The state-owned postal service’s criminal negligence amid the COVID-19 pandemic has led to thousands of workers contracting the deadly virus and 120 reported deaths.
Brazilian governor suspended for COVID-19 emergency contracts fraud
By Miguel Andrade, 5 September 2020
Brazil’s high court has suspended Rio de Janeiro Governor Wilson Witzel, pending a trial and impeachment on charges of fraud in COVID-19 relief contracts.
Threat of a US-led military intervention in Venezuela grows as Guaidó’s coalition splits
By Andrea Lobo, 4 September 2020
The danger of a devastating US military intervention has escalated as a result of the domestic political crisis of the Trump administration and growing divisions within the US-backed opposition in Venezuela.
In face of overwhelming popular opposition, Brazilian governments push criminal reopening of schools
By Tomas Castanheira, 3 September 2020
Brazilin states, including those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, have set dates to reopen schools between September and October,
Human rights lawsuits used by Chilean “left” to mask preparations for authoritarian rule
By Mauricio Saavedra, 1 September 2020
Amid a growing threat of police-state dictatorship, it once again falls on the Chilean parliamentary “left” and its satellite organisations to conceal the class nature of the capitalist state.
#Trotsky2020: A Morenoite slander against the legacy of Leon Trotsky
Statement of the Brazilian Socialist Equality Group (In solidarity with the International Committee of the Fourth International), 1 September 2020
Far from an objective presentation of the political legacy of Leon Trotsky, the FT’s video is, in essence, an attempted second assassination directed against Trotsky’s entire revolutionary historical legacy.
Volkswagen to slash 35 percent of Brazilian workforce as jobs bloodbath hits auto industry
By Miguel Andrade, 29 August 2020
Twenty-eight thousand jobs have been wiped out since 2013, when the unions began pushing for systematic contract suspensions and bailouts for automakers in Brazil.
At least 13 Peruvian youth killed in police raid on Lima disco
By Cesar Uco and Bill Van Auken, 24 August 2020
The tragedy is the direct outcome of the government’s police-state enforcement of coronavirus restrictions, even as it grants a free rein to mining and other business interests.
MAS, trade unions and coup regime strike deal to quell revolt by Bolivian workers
By Tomas Castanheira, 20 August 2020
This most recent betrayal of the MAS and COB proves once again they represent the interests of the Bolivian ruling class.
Peru tops half a million coronavirus cases as political crisis deepens
By Cesar Uco and Bill Van Auken, 18 August 2020
With over 535,000 COVID-19 cases and 26,000 deaths, and amid growing class tensions, President Vizcarra is leaning heavily on the military.
Brazilian teachers report 36 COVID-infected schools after one week of classes in Manaus
By Tomas Castanheira, 15 August 2020
Virtually all Brazilian states and capitals have ongoing plans to reproduce the homicidal model of school reopenings in Manaus.
Amid mounting political crisis, Colombia faces world’s highest COVID-19 death rate
By Julian James, 15 August 2020
Over the past weeks, the country has registered the highest per capita COVID-19 death rate in the world, 43.1 deaths per million people, compared to 32.9 per million for Brazil and 24.4 for the US.
Armed forces and fascist gangs mobilized against blockades in Bolivia
By Tomas Castanheira, 12 August 2020
The demand for the immediate fall of the Áñez regime, brought to power in last November’s US-backed coup, is gaining increasing popular support.
Peru reopens economy as thousands of miners contract COVID-19
By Mauricio Saavedra, 11 August 2020
With 478,024 coronavirus cases, Peru has the third most infections in Latin America, and with over 21,000 fatalities, it has the highest per capita death toll in the region.
Union prepares sellout of Renault strike in Brazil
By Tomas Castanheira, 8 August 2020
The movement that involved thousands of workers and their families is under threat of being shutdown with an agreement that validates the destruction of 747 jobs.
Widespread protests in Bolivia oppose postponement of elections
By Tomas Castanheira, 5 August 2020
Since Monday, a movement of strikes and blockades of main roads by workers and peasants has been spreading in Bolivia.
Brazilian teachers oppose back-to-school drive
By our correspondents, 5 August 2020
Amid intense opposition from teachers and parents, private schools were reopened last month in the state of Amazonas and this week in Rio de Janeiro.
As COVID-19 ravages Brazil, governments promote homicidal reopening of schools
By Tomas Castanheira, 1 August 2020
The attempt by big business politicians to reopen schools in the country faces massive opposition from educators and working-class families.
What led Argentina’s Left Workers Front (FIT) to vote for banning criticism of Israel under the guise of combatting anti-Semitism?
By Andrea Lobo, 29 July 2020
The FIT legislators voted for a bill introduced by the right-wing Macristas to adopt a definition of anti-Semitism aimed at criminalizing opposition to Israel.
Brazilian autoworkers strike after Renault fires 747 workers
By Tomas Castanheira, 25 July 2020
Workers were outraged over the targeting for layoffs of those who were out because of work-related injuries and even coronavirus infections.
Brazil surpasses two million coronavirus cases as reopening drive continues
By Tomas Castanheira, 18 July 2020
“We cannot continue suffocating the economy,” President Jair Bolsonaro said, as Brazil suffered the highest single day death toll in the world.
New delivery workers demonstration in Brazil exposes unions and their allies
By Miguel Andrade, 18 July 2020
After a massive continent-wide strike on July 1, delivery workers in Brazil are being told to place their fate in the hands of the unions and Congress.
The blinding of Gustavo Gatica and the return to unrestrained police state violence in Chile
By Mauricio Saavedra, 15 July 2020
The Chilean security forces enjoy a level of immunity not seen since the 17-year military dictatorship, when thousands were arrested, tortured, killed and disappeared.
US-led “back to work” drive spreads death across Latin America
By Eric London, 15 July 2020
Though mass poverty and inequality made the region vulnerable to the coronavirus, the rising Latin American death toll is also the product of Wall Street’s hemispheric back to work policy.
Brazil’s fascistic President Bolsonaro tests positive for coronavirus
By Tomas Castanheira, 8 July 2020
Amidst the catastrophic pandemic, Bolsonaro reaffirms his criminal message: “Life goes on, Brazil has to produce, it has to put the economy to work.”
Peru lifts quarantine restrictions as coronavirus infections pass 300,000 mark
By Cesar Uco, 8 July 2020
“Phase three” aligns the government and all political parties with the interest of big business and against the working class.
Brazil’s coronavirus cases top 1.5 million amid record unemployment
By Tomas Castanheira, 6 July 2020
From March to May, some eight million workers lost their jobs, and more than half of the country’s working age population have become unemployed.
Pandemic spirals out of control in South Africa, India, Brazil
By Bryan Dyne, 4 July 2020
The official tallies in each country of daily confirmed coronavirus cases have become exponential, indicating that whatever containment measures were implemented to halt the spread of the virus have essentially collapsed.
Thousands of delivery workers strike across Brazil and other Latin American countries
By Brunna Machado and Letícia Silva, 4 July 2020
Thousands of delivery workers engaged in a strike on Wednesday to demand better working conditions in more than 10 Brazilian capitals, as well as in cities in Argentina and Mexico.
Spain participated in failed 2019 US coup in Venezuela
By Alejandro López, 4 July 2020
New information emerging about the coup exposes Spain’s ruling “left populist” party, Podemos, as a tool of imperialism’s bloody foreign policy in Latin America.
Chile: COVID-19 outbreak in mining regions
By Mauricio Saavedra, 1 July 2020
Three mineworkers have died in the giant state-owned mining corporation Codelco, and some 2,528 are infected, according to the official figures of the Ministry of Mining.
Pandemic surpasses 10 million COVID-19 cases and over 500,000 deaths globally
By Benjamin Mateus, 29 June 2020
COVID-19 cases in the United States have careened out of control, with health care systems in Texas, Florida and Arizona nearing collapse.
Health care collapses in Bolivia after coup regime reopens economy
By Tomas Castanheira, 29 June 2020
COVID-19 cases have tripled in Bolivia since the country began reopening economic activities less than a month ago.
World Bank pushes privatized distance learning in Brazil
By Eduardo Parati, 29 June 2020
The São Paulo secretary of education’s declared intention of “facilitating teachers’ work” is actually aimed at furthering a shift to distance learning.
Brazilian health care workers strike for PPE and risk bonus
By Brunna Machado, 27 June 2020
On Thursday, health care professionals in the Brazilian state of Piauí started an indefinite strike as their counterparts in Rio de Janeiro launched protests.
As COVID-19 cases triple in a month, Latin American elites press ahead with back-to-work campaign
By Andrea Lobo, 26 June 2020
The ruling classes in the most unequal region of the world have based their response to the pandemic and the economic crisis it spurred on protecting their wealth and privileges at all costs.
Brazilian government hides scale of COVID-19 pandemic to promote criminal reopening
By Tomas Castanheira, 25 June 2020
Different studies point to severe underreporting of COVID-19 cases and deaths, as outbreaks at working places spread across Brazil.
Brazilian police arrest key ally of Bolsonaro
By Miguel Andrade, 20 June 2020
Several investigations are threatening the fascist president, who has rallied military ministers to declare “the army doesn’t follow absurd orders.”
Chile’s health minister resigns as disastrous policies lead to explosion in coronavirus infections and deaths
By Mauricio Saavedra, 19 June 2020
A media investigation revealed that the government was providing the World Health Organization a coronavirus body count that was almost double that given to the general public.
Outbreaks of COVID-19 in Brazil’s meat processing plants and mines
By Tomas Castanheira, 17 June 2020
Clusters of coronavirus at large companies across the country threaten the lives of thousands of workers.
Brazil registers world’s second-highest COVID-19 toll as stock market soars
By Miguel Andrade, 13 June 2020
The Brazilian stock market is responding to the unity of the whole ruling class around the back-to-work campaign and the brutal repression of social opposition.
Brazilian delivery workers strike in defense of their lives
By Tomas Castanheira, 12 June 2020
Delivery workers have been carrying out strikes and protests in Brazil since April, connected to delivery workers’ strikes around the world in countries like Spain, Ecuador and Argentina.
Youth protests and worker strikes show mounting social opposition in Brazil
By Tomas Castanheira, 10 June 2020
Strikes and job actions are intersecting with protests of tens by thousands of youth who have joined the international wave of demonstrations against police violence.
Protest in Panama against premature reopening in face of spreading COVID-19
Workers Struggles: The Americas
9 June 2020
Despite the highest level of COVID-19 cases in Latin America, the government of Panama is reopening the economy regardless of workers’ health concerns.
Bolsonaro government attempted to censor Brazil’s coronavirus case count and death toll
By Bryan Dyne, 8 June 2020
There are now more than 7 million officially confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide, an increase of one million cases in nine days, and more than 400,000 dead.
Brazil’s President Bolsonaro calls demonstrators “terrorists,” threatens military repression
By Miguel Andrade, 6 June 2020
Gen. Hamilton Mourão viciously attacked protests against the murder of George Floyd and social inequality, calling for the arrest of demonstrators.
Protests spread in Chile as hospitals reach saturation point
By Mauricio Saavedra, 5 June 2020
The loss of life is the outcome of decades of pro-corporate policies that have led to a chronically underfunded health system, now on the verge of collapse and extreme poverty.
Brazilian youth join international wave of protests against police violence
By Tomas Castanheira, 3 June 2020
Responding to demonstrations across the US, thousands of people took to the streets of Brazil protesting against police violence, racism and the fascistic president Bolsonaro.
Brazilian Trotskyists issue call for working-class action against pandemic
What will be the cost of implementing this program? Who will pay for it?
Statement of the Brazilian Socialist Equality Group (In Solidarity with the International Committee of the Fourth International), 2 June 2020
With the virus spreading rapidly, Brazil already has the second highest number of cases and sixth highest number of deaths of any country in the world.
Coronavirus cases surpass six million globally
By Bryan Dyne, 30 May 2020
New epicenters in Eastern Europe, South America, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent are rapidly causing massive public health crises.
As Brazil leads world in new COVID-19 deaths, Workers Party and pseudo-lefts rally behind capitalist state
By Miguel Andrade, 28 May 2020
The so-called opposition has brought impeachment articles against Bolsonaro for harming “internal security” in his handling of the pandemic.
JBS meatpacking plant reopens in Brazil as Latin America becomes COVID-19 epicenter
By Gabriel Lemos, 27 May 2020
Workers Party governments financed JBS’s transformation into a transnational, whose plants have become COVID-19 hotspots in both Brazil and the US.
Brazil surpasses 350,000 cases as politicians promote rapid reopening of economy
By Tomas Castanheira, 26 May 2020
For the first time, Brazil announced a larger number of deaths from COVID-19 in a single day than the United States.
South America a “new epicenter” of COVID-19 pandemic, WHO warns
By Bill Van Auken, 23 May 2020
The number of new deaths on the continent is surpassing Europe, and Brazil is rapidly overtaking Russia as the country with the second most infections after the US.
Trump issues new threats as Iranian tankers approach Venezuela
By Bill Van Auken, 22 May 2020
The Trump administration has vowed to take unspecified “measures” to block the shipment of Iranian fuel to Venezuela, raising the threat of state piracy on the high seas.
Strikes and protests by Brazilian nurses amid explosion of COVID-19 cases
By Tomas Castanheira, 22 May 2020
Over the last 15 days, there have been dozens of protests and strikes by health care workers across Brazil, as more nurses are dying than anywhere else in the world.
Chilean government violently represses demonstrations against hunger
By Mauricio Saavedra, 22 May 2020
The ultra-right government of Sebastian Piñera has responded to an outbreak of hunger protests across Chile with repression and mass arrests
Brazil records 1,179 COVID-19 deaths in a single day amid spiraling political crisis
By Miguel Andrade, 21 May 2020
Even as it closes ranks behind Bolsonaro’s back-to-work campaign, the Brazilian ruling class is conscious that it is bringing Brazil to the brink of a social explosion.
Food delivery workers call for a national strike in Brazil
By Letícia Silva, 20 May 2020
After a series of strikes internationally, food delivery workers in Brazil are calling for a unified strike on May 30 against cuts in pay rates and unsafe working conditions.
Brazilian police massacre 13 in brutal operation in Rio de Janeiro
By Tomas Castanheira, 19 May 2020
“Instead of sending doctors and nurses to protect the residents from COVID-19, the government sends police, armored vehicles and helicopters to kill us.”
Washington places Cuba and Venezuela on “terror” list
By Bill Van Auken, 16 May 2020
After fostering an abortive mercenary invasion aimed at overthrowing Venezuela’s government and murdering its president, the US placed Caracas on a list of governments deemed uncooperative in the “war on terrorism.”
Chile’s government deploys troops in the streets as coronavirus cases soar
By Mauricio Saavedra, 16 May 2020
Ultra-right President Sebastian Piñera has responded to the pandemic, and signs of growing popular resistance, by increasing repressive powers in Chile.
Starving Bolivian workers clash with troops deployed by coup regime
By Tomas Castanheira, 15 May 2020
Amid the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in Bolivia, Jeanine Áñez’s self-proclaimed “interim government” is escalating state repression.
Latin America emerges as new COVID-19 epicenter
By Bill Van Auken, 14 May 2020
The Americas have now surpassed Europe in terms of infections, even as governments and capitalist employers escalate their back-to-work campaign.
With Brazil on course to become new COVID-19 epicenter, Bolsonaro escalates back-to-work campaign
By Miguel Andrade, 13 May 2020
Auto factories have already restarted production even as every region in the country is breaking daily records of cases and deaths.
Number of COVID-19 cases hits 4 million worldwide
By Benjamin Mateus, 9 May 2020
The number of deaths has exceeded 275,000 and infections are growing. Yet, the stock markets continue to rise, despite unprecedented job losses.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro demands return to work as health care system collapses
By Tomas Castanheira, 9 May 2020
A recent study indicates that the country may have more than 2 million infections as Bolsonaro, speaking for Brazil’s employers, urges a “return to normalcy.”
Peru extends quarantine as COVID-19 deaths continue to climb
By Cesar Uco and Don Knowland, 9 May 2020
As immigrants to the capital make desperate efforts to return to their places of origin, overcrowded prisons have become a hotbed for propagation of the virus.
Trump’s “Bay of Pigs” in Venezuela
By Bill Van Auken, 7 May 2020
The abortive mercenary invasion is part of a campaign of aggression that involves “maximum pressure” sanctions and the deployment of US warships off Venezuela’s shores.
Washington and its puppet Guaidó implicated in armed attacks on Venezuela
By Bill Van Auken, 5 May 2020
At least two of those captured in the abortive invasion plot have been identified as US citizens.
Argentine unions and employers agree to wage cuts pushing millions into poverty
By Rafael Azul, 2 May 2020
More than a million workers will face hunger and poverty while businesses get massive subsidies.
Brazilian nurses fired for striking in Manaus over PPE
By Tomas Castanheira, 1 May 2020
Thirteen Brazilian nurses were fired after striking on Monday, along with hundreds of their colleagues at the 28 de Agosto Hospital, in the Amazonian capital of Manaus.
El Salvador’s president brands gangs and opposition as “plagues”
By Andrea Lobo, 28 April 2020
The Salvadoran oligarchy’s response to the pandemic is characterized by indifference to the lives of the working class and a turn toward dictatorship.
As Bolsonaro pushes to reopen schools, Brazilian state governments escalate attacks on education
By Gabriel Lemos, 27 April 2020
Brazil’s fascistic president justified his proposal by saying, “It’s a reality: on average, 70 percent will catch the virus… It is no use running away from this reality.”
Food delivery workers in Brazil join international strikes against unsafe conditions
By Tomas Castanheira, 25 April 2020
Over the past week, there have been strikes and protests in Brazil and other Latin American countries, including Ecuador and Argentina, as well as Spain.
Amid warnings of famine and unrest in Venezuela, Maduro renews talks with US-backed opposition
By Andrea Lobo, 25 April 2020
The timing of the renewed talks makes it clear that any settlement with US imperialism would be centrally aimed against a challenge from below.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro escalates coup threats as ruling class pushes “back-to-work” orders
By Miguel Andrade, 22 April 2020
As COVID-19 spread uncontrolled across the country, Bolsonaro delivered a fascist rant in front of hundreds of supporters gathered at Brazil’s Army headquarters.
Protests and looting break out in Colombia over failure to distribute aid amid COVID-19 quarantine
By Cesar Uco and Bill Van Auken, 21 April 2020
The right-wing Duque government has called for reopening “productive life without social life” to meet the needs of Colombian and foreign capital.
Brazilian nurses strike over deadly conditions as COVID-19 deaths mount
By Tomas Castanheira, 18 April 2020
This week, after a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in Brazil, protests and work stoppage spread to hospitals and other health care units.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro sacks health minister as Amazonian capital of Manaus is first to face health collapse
By Miguel Andrade, 17 April 2020
Federal and local health authorities in Brazil have widely admitted losing control of the COVID-19 spread, and now Bolsonaro expects a new minister to provide a veneer of rationality to his neglect of the disease
With the collapse of health care system, Ecuador is the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis in Latin America
By Tomas Castanheira, 16 April 2020
Ecuador listed 388 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 Tuesday, but Guayaquil’s mayor estimates that in her city alone the number is over 7,000.
As COVID-19 pandemic rages, World Bank backs restructuring of education in Brazil
By Eduardo Parati, 16 April 2020
Joining Brazilian education officials and the private sector in an online meeting, a World Bank representative offered directives for a permanent for-profit distance learning system.
Coronavirus exposes Chilean two-tiered health system as deathtrap
By Mauricio Saavedra, 15 April 2020
It is the policy of sustained socio-economic shock therapy initiated under Pinochet that lay the groundwork for incalculable loss of life today
Bolivia’s coup regime extends COVID-19 quarantine amid repression
By Cesar Uco and Don Knowland, 15 April 2020
In a recent speech, interim President Añez stressed that anyone who violates the quarantine will face the “active participation of the Armed Forces and the National Police.”
Brazilian ruling class backs growing military control as COVID-19 pandemic grips country
By Miguel Andrade, 10 April 2020
Barely 35 years after being ousted from power by mass strikes, the military is being welcomed back as caretakers amid the mounting COVID-19 crisis.
As Peru escalates militarization, COVID-19 spreads to remote rural areas
By Cesar Uco, 7 April 2020
The COVID-19 virus continues to spread aggressively in Peru, endangering the poorest people of Andean or Amazonian origin who have low immune defenses.
Ecuadorians protest bodies of COVID-19 victims being left in the streets
By Andrea Lobo, 4 April 2020
Desperate families and neighbors have flooded social media with videos and reports of corpses rotting in their living rooms, sidewalks and parks for days.
General Motors imposes wage cuts and layoffs on Brazilian workers with aid of unions
By Tomas Castanheira, 3 April 2020
GM announced mass layoffs along with a wage cut of up to 25 percent in wages at all its Brazilian plants.
Honduran doctor warns of “collapsed health care system” as coronavirus toll grows
By our reporter, 3 April 2020
“Now we face this COVID-19 pandemic which demonstrates tragically that the armored tanks of the police and warships of the Navy are incapable of saving lives.”
Washington harnesses coronavirus pandemic to promote Venezuela coup
By Bill Van Auken, 1 April 2020
The so-called “Democratic Transition Framework” is a patent attempt to weaponize the global pandemic as a means of installing a puppet regime in Caracas.
Brazilian stadium turned into field hospital as ruling class closes ranks behind corporate bailouts
By Miguel Andrade, 1 April 2020
Shocking images of stadiums transformed into concentration camps for the sick and dying stand in stark contrast to Bolsonaro’s criminal denial of the seriousness of the pandemic.
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