Ecuador: Correa says Latin American left faces 'new Cold War'
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa said on August 5 that left-wing governments in Latin America are facing “a new Cold War” that seeks to “annihilate them” through strategies of political destabilisation.
The statements of the socialist leader come as opposition groups, including many from the far right, are planning a new series of protests against his government.
“It is not a coincidence that the governments of Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela are currently facing alleged social unrest in a particularly difficult year in economic terms, following the fall in prices of raw materials and the appreciation of the dollar,” Correa said during a meeting with a truck drivers union allied with the government.
Correa has denounced the right-wing opposition plans to overthrow his government during protests thay he has described as a “soft coup.” Correa survived a failed attempt by the right to overthrow him in 2010. Now he says the same forces are using violence on the streets and economic warfare to weaken progressive governments.
Since Correa came to power in 2007, more than 1.1 million people have been lifted out of poverty.
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International solidarity backs Ecuador democracy
Against the backdrop of a wave of violent opposition protests in Ecuador demanding the ousting of the popular and elected Rafael Correa government, former London mayor Ken Livingstone and filmmaker John Pilger are among those who have signed an international call for solidarity.
The statement, circulating from civil society and seeking international signatories, condemns “the recent wave of right-wing violence in Ecuador in opposition to redistributive proposals by the government of President Rafael Correa”.
It said the right wing are now “openly calling for the fall of the elected government”.
Prominent Latin American author Richard Gott, leader of Britain's Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Kate Hudson and international coordinator of the Greens Party of England and Wales Derek Wall were among hundreds who signed the statement.
The wave of protests followed government proposals to raise the inheritance and capital gains taxes on the richest 2% of society, part of a range of social policies seeking to tackle inequality.
Recognising the democratic mandate of Correa’s government, whose party has won 10 consecutive elections, it noted “the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) have spoken out in defence of the elected and legitimate government of Rafael Correa and against any destabilization plans”.
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