Discussion on Political Developments in the Americas and the Caribbean
A successful meeting was held on Saturday, November 9 at the Friends' House in Ottawa, organized by ALBA Social Movements-Ottawa Chapter. In his opening remarks, a representative of ALBA pointed out that the situation in Latin America is evolving at such a rapid pace that certain situations are changing on a daily basis. Generally, the meeting expressed enthusiasm in light of the struggles of the people whether in Cuba, Bolivia, Venezuela, Honduras, Chile, Haiti or Brazil, and their striving for new beginnings. Speakers included Giuvel Orozco Ortega, Counselor-Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Cuba; Luis Acuña, Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of Venezuela; and Professor Marcelo Saavedra and Gustavo Saavedra, originally from Bolivia, who informed those present of the situation in those countries. Giuvel spoke of how the Trump administration's new measures to tighten the blockade are creating a difficult situation for the Cuban people, and how they are dealing with the situation whereby 85 per cent of their trade has been affected. Luis spoke among other things, of the strange predicament in which the Canadian government finds itself with regards to diplomatic norms as it recently officially accepted the credentials of a Venezuelan ambassador to Canada named by self-proclaimed president Juan Guaidó. Meanwhile, it is creating hardships for the embassy in Ottawa and its staff by such activities as freezing financial transfers from Venezuela necessary for its everyday functioning. The two people who spoke about Bolivia explained the situation following Evo Morales' election win on October 20, where right-wing forces have been instigating open racist violence against the people as part of an attempted coup. (The coup against Morales actually took place the day after this meeting, on November 10.) Throughout the discussion, it was raised that the Canadian government must render accounts for its meddling in the affairs of both Venezuela and Bolivia and many wondered why it is siding with those who spread violence and instability against the people and duly elected governments. The participants at the meeting expressed enthusiasm for the liberation of Lula in Brazil on November 8, and could not help but notice that Brazil had joined the U.S. and Israel as the only countries voting against the UN resolution to denounce the U.S. blockade against Cuba. Maricarmen Guevara, an organizer with ALBA, showed slides of the international conference against imperialism and neo-liberalism recently held in Havana, Cuba. Many events were announced as part of stepping up
support for the struggles of the people and the
anti-imperialist struggle of which the Canadian,
Mexican and U.S. working class are an integral
part. Among others, it was emphasized that it is
important to mobilize for the picket on November
13 at the University of Ottawa campus to denounce
the presence of the false Venezuelan ambassador,
for which ALBA is taking the initiative, as well
as the monthly picket, November 17, in
front of the U.S. Embassy in support of Cuba and
its struggle against the inhuman U.S. blockade.
People were also encouraged to sign a letter in
support of the Bolivian people and in opposition
to the violence being waged against the people and
the road the Bolivian people have chosen to
follow, to be delivered to the Embassy of Bolivia. (Photos: TML)
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