Radical Latin America is under new threat from the forces of conservatism, warns Colin Burgon
Against the seemingly unstoppable domination of free-market capitalism in recent decades, it was often important for progressives to remember that the darkest hour is often just before the dawn.
So it proved the case. The progressive governments elected to power in Latin America from the late 1990s have revived international interest in socialism. By dramatically improving the lives of millions of people, reducing poverty and widening the provision of public services, these governments have achieved unprecedented levels of domestic popularity. They also offer hope elsewhere, becoming a reference point of how social democracy can rebuild itself. This is not least in Europe, where millions of votes have been lost as mainstream parties adopted pro-free market positions.
But these progressive changes have also not gone unnoticed by previous ruling elites within those countries or by those internationally tied to neo-liberalism. Such conservative forces are now fighting back, posing a challenge to progressives within Latin America, most notably with the recent coup in Honduras. Although Barack Obama professed the need for “a new start” to Latin America relations, action from the United States military and elite so far indicates that there will be no clear break from the aggressive policies of the George W Bush years.
The military coup in June against Honduras’ elected President Manuel Zelaya came on the eve of a non-binding referendum on re-founding the country’s constitution, which could well have seen a number of progressive advances. Zelaya’s government had already faced opposition from conservative elements within Honduras for its progressive social programmes, which had reduced poverty by almost 10 per cent over two years and dramatically increased the minimum wage.
The military coup installed a client regime and has sought the violent repression of protests, social movements and trade unions. It has detained progressive political activists. Amnesty International, the International Trade Union Confederation and many others condemned these human rights abuses, joining with governments across Latin America and throughout the world in opposing the coup.
Unfortunately, the US administration – the largest trade partner of Honduras – has failed to use its full influence to bring about an end to the coup. It could have done this by cancelling all military, financial and economic support to the illegal regime. This may have been clear change in rhetoric from the Bush years by President Obama, but rather more is needed.
Withstanding international pressure for the return of Zelaya, the military regime has now reneged on a widely publicised accord that would have seen the legitimate president reinstated. Instead, the coup leaders decided to seek international approval for “elections’” taking place under the repressive conditions they have imposed. These would legitimise the coup.
Free and fair elections in Honduras are impossible. Human rights, freedom of assembly and the freedom of the press have all been under attack. Repression under the military regime has seen at least 20 people killed, more than 600 people wounded and beaten and 3,500 people detained since June with an unknown number subjected to torture.
Many Latin American governments have already stated that Honduran elections cannot be legitimate or recognised while the current regime remains in place. Worryingly, the US government has indicated its willingness to recognise what would be illegitimate elections. In fact, the decision of the Honduran coup plotters to violate the recent accord followed remarks made by Thomas Shannon, US Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere, just hours after it was signed, that the US government would recognise the election irrespective of whether Zelaya was returned to office.
For democracy to win in Honduras, it is vital that Britain, Europe and particularly the US follow the lead of Latin American governments. Non-recognition of elections under the present regime is a litmus test for Obama. Any recognition would give a green light to opponents of democracy and social progress throughout the continent that military coups will be tolerated.
As the labour movement is aware, the wave of regional progress never went as far as Colombia, where trade unionists and others have been regularly murdered in cold blood by allies of the right-wing government heavily armed by US finance.
Now added to this threat to progressives and democracy is the decision taken by Colombia to allow the US military the use of seven military bases in Colombia. A US Air Mobility Command document, Global En Route Strategy, states that this gives the Americans a “co-operative security location” from which “mobility operations could be executed”, as “nearly half the continent can be covered by a giant C-17 (military transport) aircraft without refuelling”.
The report also emphasises the “opportunity for conducting full spectrum operations throughout South America” against threats not only from drug trafficking and guerrilla movements, but also from “anti-US governments” in the region.
This agreement has been roundly condemned across the region. During a summit of the Union of South American Nations, all 12 member-states apart, unsurprisingly, from Colombia expressed concern at the agreement, which is a continuation – and deepening – of the failed military “Plan Colombia”.
If the US continues to pursue this damaging course and while the inhumane blockade of Cuba also continues, the left in Europe must campaign for an independent foreign policy for Britain and Europe that recognises Latin America’s right to self-determination and seeks constructive engagement with progressive governments. Our role in this can be decisive and help to defend the great social progress that has engendered such hope.
Colin Burgon, Labour MP for Elmet will be a speaker at the Latin America 2009 Conference at Congress House on December 5. For more information visit www.latinamerica2009.org.uk
