Latin America

Brazil: the left rises but the right aren't out yet

Left-wing Lula has ousted Bolsonaro and won the Brazilian presidency in a huge victory against the right, but there is still lots of work to be done, writes Orlando Hill
The fight goes on after Brazil’s elections

Orlando Hill explains the results of the Brazilian election, and the way forward in the fight against Bolsonaro and the far right
Why did Chileans vote against a progressive constitution?

Jonathan Maunders looks at the factors behind the decisive vote against replacing Chile’s Pinochet-era constitution with a far more progressive one
Bringing down Bolsonaro: Lula campaign launched in London

Orlando Hill reports from the launch of the London campaign for Lula, the Brazilian left-wing candidate taking on Bolsonaro
The murder of Marcelo Arruda: Bolsonaro supporters ramp up political violence ahead of Brazilian elections

The assassination of Marcel Arruda, a Lula supporter and trade unionist, is the latest incident of political violence being waged against the left in Brazil, writes Orlando Hill
Petro's triumph: A seismic victory for Colombian left

Left-wing Gustavo Petro's historic victory in the Colombian elections ends decades of neoliberal rule but the left must be prepared for the challenges ahead, argues Jonathan Maunders
Victory for the left: Chile votes to end 50 years of neoliberalism

Gabriel Boric's victory is a profound step forward for class-based politics in Chile and Latin America at large, writes John McGrath
Pushback in the ‘backyard’: Venezuelan voters reject US-backed opposition

Regional elections in Venezuela have delivered a significant blow to the US, but the left must continue to oppose imperialist meddling in the region, argues Jonathan Maunders
Historic opportunity for the left in Argentina

Argentina’s congressional elections have delivered a breakthrough for the radical left, but dangers remain, reports Jonathan Maunders
Just like Thatcher, Boris Johnson cosies up to Chilean Tyrants

Boris Johnson is continuing the Tory legacy of supporting human rights abusers, argues Carole Concha Bell
Covid, corruption and calamity: why Guatemalans want the president out

Protesters are leading a national shutdown to force President Giammattei to resign after he sacked the country’s anti-corruption prosecutor, reports Jonathan Maunders
The left breakthrough in Peru: socialist teacher Castillo on the verge of victory

Trade unionist Pedro Castillo’s narrow lead in Peru’s Presidential elections opens up the prospect for radical change, but the right won’t back down quietly, argues Jonathan Maunders
The Colombian National Strike and the uprising against a deadly government

After a month of the National Strike, the Colombian people continue to take to the streets to fight back against a neoliberal government and violent state repression, report Lorena Arrieta R. and Victoria Guy
The Colombian uprising: mass protests rage on despite deadly repression

Jonathan Maunders reports on the mass protests across Colombia in response to police brutality and planned government austerity measures
Peruvians are sick of neoliberalism, but can the left win?

Years of corruption and growing inequality cemented left wing Pedro Castillo’s lead in Peru’s election, but the road to victory is an uphill battle, argues Jonathan Maunders
Ecuador election: what went wrong for the left?

The unexpected defeat of Arauz in Ecuador’s election shows the challenges faced by the left in Latin America and what needs to be done to rebuild, writes Jonathan Maunders
Latin America: a new ‘Pink Tide’?

In Latin America popular movements rejecting neoliberalism are fusing with a left electoral resurgence to make a second ‘Pink Tide’ possible, argues Jonathan Maunders
The University and Social Justice: Struggles Across the Globe - book review

Student movements all over the world, covered in The University and Social Justice, show the potential student protest has to challenge the current order, finds Graham Kirkwood
Argentina’s ‘Green Tide’ sweeps closer to an historic victory for abortion rights

The passing of a new bill allowing abortion represents an imminent major victory for Argentine women that was achieved through popular struggle, writes Steph Pike
Radical off the pitch: what they don’t tell you about Maradona

As El Diego leaves us, Enrico Tortolano pays tribute to the boy from the barrio who never forgot where he came from
Guatemala protesters force Congress to shelve corrupt budget

Following a weekend of anti-government protests, Guatemala's Congress has been forced back from putting through a corruption-riddled budget, reports Jonathan Maunders
Mass protests in Peru against the coup and neoliberalism have toppled Merino

Jonathan Maunders unpacks why Peruvians have taken to the streets in opposition to the removal of Vizcarra and a neoliberal constitution that enables corruption
Imperialism is driven back in Bolivia

The return of Evo Morales to Bolivia symbolises the defeat of the Washington-driven coup following the election last month, writes John Clarke
Victory for the movement as Chileans vote to rip up Pinochet constitution

After a year of protests against Chile's right wing government, a decisive majority have voted to replace the constitution in a major victory for the left
Bolivia defies the Washington Consensus

Driven by mass popular resistance, the election of Movement for Socialism signals a major victory against the coup leaders and their neoliberal backers in Washington, writes John Clarke.
The global picture: Covid cases and deaths continue to rise sharply

World leaders like Trump and Johnson trying to get back to business as usual while the virus continues to spread are deliberately sacrificing public health, writes John Clarke
How Bolsonaro can be beaten - a Brazilian socialist speaks out

Thousands have taken to the streets in Brazil against Bolsonaro's misgovernment. Orlando Hill introduces an assessment from Leonardo Pericles of Unidade Populare
Lockdown reading on revolution: some novels set in times of great upheaval

Lindsey German's pick of novels set in revolutionary times
In the Red Corner: the Marxism of José Carlos Mariátegui - book review

Mike Gonzalez, In The Red Corner, recovers José Carlos Mariátegui’s Marxist understanding of Latin America in the context of the development of capitalism, finds Orlando Hill
Brazil: the 2013 June Days and the consolidation of the 2018 coup

Leonardo Péricles looks at the character and context of the June Days protests in Brazil which he argues did not directly lead to the 2018 coup
Bolivia: whose side are you on? - election briefing 13 November

Lindsey German on Evo Morales and Farage’s gamble
Bolivia: why the world must stand against the coup

A US-backed coup has forced Bolivia's socialist, indigenous President out in a dangerous turn of events that must be resisted globally, reports Orlando Hill
A very Chilean uprising: Piñera forced to backtrack neoliberal programme

Chile's uprising began with school pupils protesting and escalated to a general strike. Is this the beginning of the end of neoliberalism in Latin America?
From protest to revolt in days: a new phase of global resistance

Insurgent protest is spreading across the globe like wildfire as people take to the streets demanding fundamental change, writes Chris Nineham
Ecuador: victory for the popular protest

Though the fight is far from over, Ecuador's indigenous-led anti-austerity movement has won a major concession from the government, reports Jonathan Maunders
The Long Honduran Night: Resistance, Terror, and the United States in the Aftermath of the Coup - book review

In The Long Honduran Night,Dana Frank gives a personal and detailed account of the resistance of Honduran people and the involvement of the US, finds Orlando Hill
The Mobilization and Demobilization of Middle-Class Revolt - book review

An analysis of hegemony and consciousness among the economically distressed middle class of Argentina provides lessons for activists everywhere, finds Orlando Hill
What happened in the Venezuela coup attempt, and why the threat remains

Juán Guiadó's failed military takeover was a charade, but its international supporters have further interests and plans for ousting Maduro's government, reports Orlando Hill
Venezuela: The US empire is on the march again

As Western leaders impose more sanctions and ultimatums, we must oppose this cynical foreign intervention in Venezuela, writes Rob Winkel
Venezuela faces US-led intervention as Haiti struggles to break free

To understand the imperialist intervention from the US and its allies, look to Haiti and the region's history, argues John Clarke
Before Venezuela: a long history of US imperialism in Latin America

The push for regime change in Venezuela represents the latest in an abhorrent history of intervention in Latin America, writes Vladimir Unkovski-Korica
‘Progressive’ Trudeau government attacks Venezuela

With neoliberalism's sights set on Venezuela, John Clarke examines the imperialism of a superficially progressive Canada
Building Power from Below: Chilean Workers Take on Walmart - book review

The success of trade-union organising in Walmart within Chile shows the potential social power of workers in the most difficult circumstances, finds Orlando Hill
7 things you need to know about the Venezuela coup attempt

As Western leaders impose more sanctions and ultimatums, Robin Winkel explains why we must oppose foreign intervention in Venezuela
Venezuela in the shadow of Trump

Venezuela must be defended from Trump's push for regime change and attempt to export his toxic brand of right wing politics, argues Sean Ledwith
Trump's teargas and racist brutality at the US-Mexico border

As the Migrant Caravan arrived at the US border, they were met with heavy tear gas and rubber bullets in a show of inhumane violence, John Clarke reports
Marx, colonialism and the Global South - Counterfire Media Podcast

Chris Nineham talks to American author and Marxist historian on Marx, colonialism and the Global South, and how Marx's ideas were ahead of their time in the fifth episode of Counterfire Media's Podcast
Trump in the tropics: Bolsonaro takes power in Brazil

Michael Roberts explains how Bolsonaro won the Brazilian presidential election and what capitalism's response is
Migrant Caravan: Trump sends 5000 troops to stop refugees

Thousands of troops have been sent to the US border as Trump vows to stop the Migrant Caravan, reports John Clarke
O efeito Bolsonaro: e agora Brasil?

À medida que as eleições do Brasil avançam para o segundo turno, Orlando Hill examina as perspectivas para a esquerda derrotar a candidatura presidencial da extrema-direita Jair Bolsonaro
The Bolsonaro effect: what now for Brazil?

As Brazil's elections progress to the second round, Orlando Hill examines the prospects for the left in defeating the presidential candidacy of the far right Jair Bolsonaro
Brazil’s election and the Global South’s debt trap

The media present today’s Brazilian elections as a special case but, argues Vladimir Unkovski-Korica, Brazil’s troubles reflect the troubles of the world economy
The Brazilian elections and the fight against the far right

The far right threatens to do well in Brazil's elections this weekend amid a polarised climate of reaction and resistence, reports Orlando Hill
The Battle for Paradise - book review

Naomi Klein gives a stirring account of the struggle against disaster capitalism in Puerto Rico after 2017’s Hurricane Maria, finds Ellen Graubart
A New Hope for Mexico - book review

AMLO, the new Mexican president, represents a break from neoliberalism, despite the political limitations of his programme, argues Orlando Hill
Frida Kahlo: artist and revolutionary

Frida Kahlo was a revolutionary and a politically-committed artist whose art condemned the society she revolted against argues Judy Cox
The rise of president ‘AMLO’: Mexico’s left turn?

The landslide triumph of anti-establishment figure Andrés Manuel López Obrador has emerged from a disastrous social and economic crisis for Mexico’s ruling order and traditional party, opening up a new era of possibility for the left, argues Sean Ledwith
Corruption and Crisis in Peru

As the Peruvian establishment reels, the left must seize the moment, take to the streets and strike a blow, argues Jonathan Maunders
The Pink Tide: Media Access and Political Power in Latin America - book review

The Pink Tiderepresents Latin American efforts to reform and democratise the media. While real advances have been made, the limits to reform are made clear, argues Des Freedman
The Last Day of Oppression, and the First Day of the Same - book review

Electing a left-wing government is not enough; Jeffrey Webber’s analysis of Latin America shows that capitalism must be confronted, argues Orlando Hill
Parliament and power: Lessons from Latin America with Jeffery Webber - video

Author and professor Jeffery Webber dissects the political situation in Latin America, how it developed and what lessons can be learnt from it at a London Counterfire public meeting
Peru: the left’s failure

By becoming entrenched in parliamentary politics, the left coalition under Vero Mendoza has undermined its support base
Weakness and Deceit: America and El Salvador's Dirty War

Raymond Bonner’s account of US intervention in El Salvador shows that today’s catastrophic imperialist interventions have a long history, argues Dominic Alexander
Corbyn: a view from afar

An Argentinian perspective on the rise of Jeremy Corbyn from journalist Mariano Schuster
Latin America: reformism hits the rocks

As the economic downturn hits Latin America, Dan Morgan considers the impact on progressive developments and looks ahead to the role of political organisations
Brazil coup: will the left respond?

Héctor Rios takes a look at the context of the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff
Strategy matters: the left in Chile

The lack of a common strategy to confront neoliberalism, and divided by the Communist Party, Hector Ríos looks at the new left in Chile
A World to Build: New Paths toward Twenty-First Century Socialism

A World To Build shows us alternatives to neoliberalism in recent movements in Latin America, where political strategies have claimed important victories, argues Ian Richardson
The New War on the Poor: The Production of Insecurity in Latin America

The New War on the Poor shows how neoliberal security regimes produce insecurity, and worse, for poor citizens, while protecting rich interests, finds Ellen Graubart
What is going on in Brazil?

Orlando Hill looks at the mass opposition demonstrations against President Dilma Rousseff just four months after her party's election victory
Venezuela: revolution and progress versus reaction and empire

The choice in Venezuela is stark; social progress versus extreme reaction and US intervention. We should be clear which side we are on argues Matt Willgress

In order to provide you with the best online experience this website uses cookies.

Latin America

Latin America

Left-wing Lula has ousted Bolsonaro and won the Brazilian presidency in a huge victory against the right, but there is still lots of work to be done, writes Orlando Hill

Orlando Hill explains the results of the Brazilian election, and the way forward in the fight against Bolsonaro and the far right

Jonathan Maunders looks at the factors behind the decisive vote against replacing Chile’s Pinochet-era constitution with a far more progressive one

Orlando Hill reports from the launch of the London campaign for Lula, the Brazilian left-wing candidate taking on Bolsonaro

The assassination of Marcel Arruda, a Lula supporter and trade unionist, is the latest incident of political violence being waged against the left in Brazil, writes Orlando Hill

Left-wing Gustavo Petro's historic victory in the Colombian elections ends decades of neoliberal rule but the left must be prepared for the challenges ahead, argues Jonathan Maunders

Gabriel Boric's victory is a profound step forward for class-based politics in Chile and Latin America at large, writes John McGrath

Regional elections in Venezuela have delivered a significant blow to the US, but the left must continue to oppose imperialist meddling in the region, argues Jonathan Maunders

Argentina’s congressional elections have delivered a breakthrough for the radical left, but dangers remain, reports Jonathan Maunders

Boris Johnson is continuing the Tory legacy of supporting human rights abusers, argues Carole Concha Bell

Protesters are leading a national shutdown to force President Giammattei to resign after he sacked the country’s anti-corruption prosecutor, reports Jonathan Maunders

Trade unionist Pedro Castillo’s narrow lead in Peru’s Presidential elections opens up the prospect for radical change, but the right won’t back down quietly, argues Jonathan Maunders

After a month of the National Strike, the Colombian people continue to take to the streets to fight back against a neoliberal government and violent state repression, report Lorena Arrieta R. and Victoria Guy

Jonathan Maunders reports on the mass protests across Colombia in response to police brutality and planned government austerity measures

Years of corruption and growing inequality cemented left wing Pedro Castillo’s lead in Peru’s election, but the road to victory is an uphill battle, argues Jonathan Maunders

The unexpected defeat of Arauz in Ecuador’s election shows the challenges faced by the left in Latin America and what needs to be done to rebuild, writes Jonathan Maunders

In Latin America popular movements rejecting neoliberalism are fusing with a left electoral resurgence to make a second ‘Pink Tide’ possible, argues Jonathan Maunders

Student movements all over the world, covered in The University and Social Justice, show the potential student protest has to challenge the current order, finds Graham Kirkwood

The passing of a new bill allowing abortion represents an imminent major victory for Argentine women that was achieved through popular struggle, writes Steph Pike

As El Diego leaves us, Enrico Tortolano pays tribute to the boy from the barrio who never forgot where he came from

Following a weekend of anti-government protests, Guatemala's Congress has been forced back from putting through a corruption-riddled budget, reports Jonathan Maunders

Jonathan Maunders unpacks why Peruvians have taken to the streets in opposition to the removal of Vizcarra and a neoliberal constitution that enables corruption

The return of Evo Morales to Bolivia symbolises the defeat of the Washington-driven coup following the election last month, writes John Clarke

After a year of protests against Chile's right wing government, a decisive majority have voted to replace the constitution in a major victory for the left

Driven by mass popular resistance, the election of Movement for Socialism signals a major victory against the coup leaders and their neoliberal backers in Washington, writes John Clarke.

World leaders like Trump and Johnson trying to get back to business as usual while the virus continues to spread are deliberately sacrificing public health, writes John Clarke

Thousands have taken to the streets in Brazil against Bolsonaro's misgovernment. Orlando Hill introduces an assessment from Leonardo Pericles of Unidade Populare

Lindsey German's pick of novels set in revolutionary times

Mike Gonzalez, In The Red Corner, recovers José Carlos Mariátegui’s Marxist understanding of Latin America in the context of the development of capitalism, finds Orlando Hill

Leonardo Péricles looks at the character and context of the June Days protests in Brazil which he argues did not directly lead to the 2018 coup

Lindsey German on Evo Morales and Farage’s gamble

A US-backed coup has forced Bolivia's socialist, indigenous President out in a dangerous turn of events that must be resisted globally, reports Orlando Hill

Chile's uprising began with school pupils protesting and escalated to a general strike. Is this the beginning of the end of neoliberalism in Latin America?

Insurgent protest is spreading across the globe like wildfire as people take to the streets demanding fundamental change, writes Chris Nineham

Though the fight is far from over, Ecuador's indigenous-led anti-austerity movement has won a major concession from the government, reports Jonathan Maunders

In The Long Honduran Night,Dana Frank gives a personal and detailed account of the resistance of Honduran people and the involvement of the US, finds Orlando Hill

An analysis of hegemony and consciousness among the economically distressed middle class of Argentina provides lessons for activists everywhere, finds Orlando Hill

Juán Guiadó's failed military takeover was a charade, but its international supporters have further interests and plans for ousting Maduro's government, reports Orlando Hill

As Western leaders impose more sanctions and ultimatums, we must oppose this cynical foreign intervention in Venezuela, writes Rob Winkel

To understand the imperialist intervention from the US and its allies, look to Haiti and the region's history, argues John Clarke

The push for regime change in Venezuela represents the latest in an abhorrent history of intervention in Latin America, writes Vladimir Unkovski-Korica

With neoliberalism's sights set on Venezuela, John Clarke examines the imperialism of a superficially progressive Canada

The success of trade-union organising in Walmart within Chile shows the potential social power of workers in the most difficult circumstances, finds Orlando Hill

As Western leaders impose more sanctions and ultimatums, Robin Winkel explains why we must oppose foreign intervention in Venezuela

Venezuela must be defended from Trump's push for regime change and attempt to export his toxic brand of right wing politics, argues Sean Ledwith

As the Migrant Caravan arrived at the US border, they were met with heavy tear gas and rubber bullets in a show of inhumane violence, John Clarke reports

Chris Nineham talks to American author and Marxist historian on Marx, colonialism and the Global South, and how Marx's ideas were ahead of their time in the fifth episode of Counterfire Media's Podcast

Michael Roberts explains how Bolsonaro won the Brazilian presidential election and what capitalism's response is

Thousands of troops have been sent to the US border as Trump vows to stop the Migrant Caravan, reports John Clarke

À medida que as eleições do Brasil avançam para o segundo turno, Orlando Hill examina as perspectivas para a esquerda derrotar a candidatura presidencial da extrema-direita Jair Bolsonaro

As Brazil's elections progress to the second round, Orlando Hill examines the prospects for the left in defeating the presidential candidacy of the far right Jair Bolsonaro

The media present today’s Brazilian elections as a special case but, argues Vladimir Unkovski-Korica, Brazil’s troubles reflect the troubles of the world economy

The far right threatens to do well in Brazil's elections this weekend amid a polarised climate of reaction and resistence, reports Orlando Hill

Naomi Klein gives a stirring account of the struggle against disaster capitalism in Puerto Rico after 2017’s Hurricane Maria, finds Ellen Graubart

AMLO, the new Mexican president, represents a break from neoliberalism, despite the political limitations of his programme, argues Orlando Hill

Frida Kahlo was a revolutionary and a politically-committed artist whose art condemned the society she revolted against argues Judy Cox

The landslide triumph of anti-establishment figure Andrés Manuel López Obrador has emerged from a disastrous social and economic crisis for Mexico’s ruling order and traditional party, opening up a new era of possibility for the left, argues Sean Ledwith

As the Peruvian establishment reels, the left must seize the moment, take to the streets and strike a blow, argues Jonathan Maunders

The Pink Tiderepresents Latin American efforts to reform and democratise the media. While real advances have been made, the limits to reform are made clear, argues Des Freedman

Electing a left-wing government is not enough; Jeffrey Webber’s analysis of Latin America shows that capitalism must be confronted, argues Orlando Hill

Author and professor Jeffery Webber dissects the political situation in Latin America, how it developed and what lessons can be learnt from it at a London Counterfire public meeting

By becoming entrenched in parliamentary politics, the left coalition under Vero Mendoza has undermined its support base

Raymond Bonner’s account of US intervention in El Salvador shows that today’s catastrophic imperialist interventions have a long history, argues Dominic Alexander

An Argentinian perspective on the rise of Jeremy Corbyn from journalist Mariano Schuster

As the economic downturn hits Latin America, Dan Morgan considers the impact on progressive developments and looks ahead to the role of political organisations

Héctor Rios takes a look at the context of the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff

The lack of a common strategy to confront neoliberalism, and divided by the Communist Party, Hector Ríos looks at the new left in Chile

A World To Build shows us alternatives to neoliberalism in recent movements in Latin America, where political strategies have claimed important victories, argues Ian Richardson

The New War on the Poor shows how neoliberal security regimes produce insecurity, and worse, for poor citizens, while protecting rich interests, finds Ellen Graubart

Orlando Hill looks at the mass opposition demonstrations against President Dilma Rousseff just four months after her party's election victory

The choice in Venezuela is stark; social progress versus extreme reaction and US intervention. We should be clear which side we are on argues Matt Willgress