Daily Archives: October 20, 2020

2020-10-20: News Headlines

Sà¥nia Guajajara (2020-10-20). Amazonia: In the Flames, They See Money. counterpunch.org Sà¥nia Guajajara delivered this speech to accept the 2020 Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award on behalf of the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB). The Association is standing up to powerful corporations, backed by an oppressive government, to protect indigenous rights and lands — all while fighting a deadly pandemic. On October 15, award-winning author

William Camacaro (2020-10-20). Decisive Victory of MAS in Bolivia: A Blow to Anti-Indigenous and Anti-Socialist Coups in the Americas. counterpunch.org Caracas. The decisive electoral victory of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) in Bolivia may be a point of inflection on the continent that advances the construction of a new South American socialist bloc. After having been removed from power by a military coup with fascist, anti-Indigenous, and neoliberal elements a year ago, ex-president Evo Morales,

_____ (2020-10-20). Bolivia: People Power Prevails Over US-Backed Coup. popularresistance.org Last October following the re-election of indigenous president Evo Morales in Bolivia, the United States backed a coup that successfully forced him out of power. The coup regime reversed many of the gains made under Morales and waged violent and austerity policies against the people. A new presidential election was held this past weekend largely because of massive popular mobilizations over the summer that demanded them. I speak with Camila Escalante of Telesur English and Kawsachun News about the coup, the protests and the recent election.

WSWS (2020-10-20). Workers Struggles: The Americas. wsws.org Health care sector worker in Buenos Aires, Argentina march to the city government offices to press demands for nurses to attain permanent professional status, emergency raises and additional staffing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Susan Price (2020-10-20). From Rebel Teas to marching bands: A year of protest culture in Chile. greenleft.org.au October 18 marked one year of mass protests for systemic change in Chile, and one year of brutal repression, writes Sandra Cuffe. It has also been a year filled with a resurgence of protest art and music, neighbourhood organising, feminist influences, city-specific forms of protest, local experiments in direct democracy, and mutual aid.

teleSUR (2020-10-19). Colombia: Duque Still Not Responding to Social Minga's Request. telesurenglish.net Colombia's President Ivan Duque has not yet confirmed whether he will meet with representatives of the Indigenous Minga, which arrived in Bogota on Sunday. | RELATED: | Duque assured that he does not rule out the possibility of dialogue with the social movement, which began its journey to the capital on October 14. However, he still does not define the date or place of the meeting. | "No one has to make ultimatum…

yenisafak (2020-10-19). Venezuela congrats Bolivia's Arce as he claims victory. yenisafak.com Venezuela's president on Monday congratulated the Bolivian left-wing presidential hopeful Luis Arce as he claimed victory in Sunday's poll."Great victory! The united and conscious Bolivian people defeated the coup against our brother [former President] Evo [Morales] with their votes," Nicolas Maduro said on Twitter."Congratulations to President-elect Luis Arce, Vice President David Choquehuanca and our South Indian Chief @evoespueblo. Jallalla Bolivia!" he added.Jallalla, or long live, is an expression for jubilation in Aymara — an indigenous nation to which Morales belongs.Exit polls showed that the Movement fo…

Lucas Leiroz de Almeida (2020-10-19). Chilean Government Agrees with New Constitution, but Vetoes New Constituent Assembly. globalresearch.ca Chile has been experiencing violent popular protests for over a year. The general dissatisfaction with the government of Sebastián Piñera and his allies has generated strong unrest in the country, which has worried the Chilean political elite. In this sense, …

Prensa Latina (2020-10-19). MAS election victory in Bolivia generates wide repercussion. mronline.org The victory in first round of the Movement towards Socialism (MAS) party in Bolivia, according to an exit poll, has generated several reactions on Monday after surpassing what was expected in the polls.

Adan Plascencia (2020-10-19). "We've recovered our democracy": Bolivian coup regime humiliated as socialist wins landslide election. liberationnews.org The Bolivian people stood up to vote for sovereignty and regain their democracy. This is a humiliating blow to the far-right regime of coup-installed president Jeanine àÅñez and is being celebrated by the left across Latin America.

W. T. Whitney Jr. (2020-10-19). Socialists win big in Bolivia; Morales expected to return from exile. peoplesworld.org Luis Arce and David Choquehuanca, presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively, for Bolivia's Movement Toward Socialism Party (MAS), scored an overwhelming first-round election victory on Oct. 18. They won 53% of the vote, showing strength in cities and rural areas alike. MAS was formerly headed by deposed President Evo Morales. The Supreme Election Tribunal certified the …

Zoe PC (2020-10-19). Hours before Bolivia goes the polls, early results system suspended, military mobilization in La Paz. mronline.org The first elections since the coup d'état will be held on October 18 amid a tense social and political climate. This includes a military mobilization in La Paz the night before the polls and the suspension of the DIREPRE early results system.

The Canary (2020-10-19). Socialists claim major victory in Bolivia, one year after US-backed coup. thecanary.co Evo Morales' party has claimed victory in Bolivia's presidential election. Exit polls give the Movement towards Socialism (MAS) party over 50% of the vote.To win in the first round, a candidate needs more than 50% of the vote, or 40% with a lead of at least 10 percentage points over the second-placed candidate.The election was marked by tension after Morales was deposed in a US-backed coup in November 2019. Electoral monitors reported threats and harassment from Bolivian security forces.With a private quick count of sampled polling stations favouring MAS candidate Luis Arce by a wide margin, even unelected interi…

RT (2020-10-19). Exiled Bolivian President Morales vows to return to country 'sooner or later' after socialists' election win. rt.com Former President Evo Morales has announced his intention to return to Bolivia after his socialist ally Luis Arce secured a decisive victory in the country's presidential election. | Speaking during a press conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Monday, Morales said he would be glad to return to his home country. | "Sooner or later we are going to return to Bolivia, that is not in debate," Morales said, without giving any timeframe for his potential return. | My great desire is to return to Bolivia and enter my region. It is a matter of time. | The announcement follows Sunday's presidential election in Boliv…

RT (2020-10-19). Bolivia's Mesa accepts election defeat after rapid vote count indicates solid victory for socialist Arce. rt.com The Bolivian presidential centrist candidate Carlos Mesa conceded the election on Monday after an unofficial rapid vote count signaled a decisive victory for the socialist candidate Luis Arce. | "The result of the quick count is very strong and very clear," Mesa, the leader of the centrist Comunidad Ciudadana coalition, said during a press conference. | "The difference between the first candidate and the Comunidad Ciudadana is wide and it is up to us, those of us who believe in democracy, to recognize that there has been a winner in this election." | The Movement for Socialism (MAS) candidate, Luis Arce, recei…

teleSUR (2020-10-19). Socialist Presidential Candidate Arce Wins Bolivia's Elections. telesurenglish.net After midnight on Sunday, Bolivian authorities allowed the results of the exit polls to be known. The Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) presidential candidate Luis Arce obtained 52.4 percent of the votes, the Citizen Community (CC) candidate Carlos Mesa got 31.5 percent, and the "We Believe Alliance" candidate Luis Fernando Camacho reached 14.1 percent of the votes. | RELATED: | Bolivia's president-elect Arce thanked th…

Jake Johnson, staff writer (2020-10-19). 'Democracy Has Won': Year After Right-Wing Coup Against Evo Morales, Socialist Luis Arce Declares Victory in Bolivia Election. commondreams.org "Brothers and sisters: the will of the people has been asserted," Morales declared from exile in Argentina. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/bolivia_democracy_arce.jpg

Paul Dobson (2020-10-19). Venezuela Welcomes 'Return to Democracy' in Bolivia. venezuelanalysis.com Progressive Luis Arce won the elections, putting an end to the de facto presidency of the Washington-backed Jeanine Añez.

teleSUR (2020-10-19). Bolivia: Political Figures Acknowledge Arce's Victory In The Polls. telesurenglish.net Several important voices of the Latin American's political landscape Monday acknowledged Luis Arce's victory in the Bolivian presidential elections. | RELATED: | Citizens Community Alliance (CCA) presidential candidate Carlos Mesa acknowledged the victory of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) and said that "the difference between the first candidate and the CCA is wide and it is up to us who believe in democracy to r…

teleSUR (2020-10-19). 79% of Brazilians Killed by Police in 2019 Were Black People. telesurenglish.net Brazil's Public Security Forum (FBSP) Monday informed that 79.1 percent of 6,357 persons killed by National Police in 2019 were Black people. | RELATED: | "Violence against African-descendants is increasing over the years," Public Security Annual Report admitted alluding to a comparison between 2018 and 2019. | The Forum also informed that 74.4 percent of the 47,773 intentional violent deaths reported in 2019 were Bl…

Lee Schlenker (2020-10-19). The War on Cuba and Venezuela. counterpunch.org Why are Havana's food markets so empty? For the Cuban people, the U.S. War on Venezuela stands out as a clear culprit contributing to these daily frustrations and hardships. "Right now fewer trucks are coming in. Less merchandise too. And the quality isn't the same because a lot of the products are rotting the fields

Peoples Dispatch (2020-10-19). Battling repression, Chileans take to the streets to mark one year of protests. peoplesdispatch.org The demonstrations took place despite massive deployment of the Chilean police. Sunday's demonstrations were organized just a few days ahead of the upcoming constitutional referendum.

teleSUR (2020-10-19). Peru: President Vizcarra Faces New Bribery Accusations. telesurenglish.net New witnesses Sunday accused Peru's President Martin Vizcarra of receiving about US$370,000 in bribes to favor companies that wanted to secure construction contracts while he was the governor of Moquegua between 2011 and 2014. | RELATED: | According to investigations released by the local outlets La República y El Comercio, the accusations were allegedly made by three witnesses, one of them a senior official of the previous gove…

WSWS (2020-10-19). Brazilian nurse speaks out against closure of COVID hospital and firing of 300 employees. wsws.org The workers of the Castanhal Regional Hospital carried out a protest last Thursday demanding their jobs back and the payment of overdue salaries.

Peoples Dispatch (2020-10-19). In Bolivia, a mood of watchful celebration prevails. peoplesdispatch.org We talk to Zoe PC of Peoples Dispatch, who is in Bolivia as part of an election observation team, on the situation on the ground as exit polls and the main opposition candidate have acknowledged the victory of the Luis Arce-David Choquehuanca ticket of MAS…

teleSUR (2020-10-19). Evo Morales: 'MAS Fulfilled Its Promise, It Became Millions'. telesurenglish.net Bolivia's former president Evo Morales Monday assured from Buenos Aires (Argentina) that "sooner or later" he will return to his country as he thanked the support of the Latin American progressive governments over the last year. | RELATED: | "Bolivia was never alone. The governments of Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, and Cuba were a great support in these months of democratic absence in the country. Thanks to them, I…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-10-19). We have regained hope, says Luis Arce as estimates show MAS victory in Bolivian presidential polls. peoplesdispatch.org The Unitel-Ciesmori estimate showed the Luis Arce-David Choquehuanca ticket of the MAS winning over 52% of the vote. Shortly after, the president of the coup regime, Jeanine Añez, acknowledged the victory of the MAS…

teleSUR (2020-10-19). Latin American Leaders Congratulate Arce On MAS Victory. telesurenglish.net Numerous elected leaders and heads of state in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, congratulated Bolivian President-elect Luis Arce as the winner in Sunday's elections. | RELATED: | In a message published on Twitter, López Obrador praised this result and congratulated the Bolivian people for resolving the country's conflict…

Kester Kenn Klomegah (2020-10-19). Energy Research Platform Takes Central Stage Under Russia's BRICS Chairmanship. globalresearch.ca After the Ufa declaration in 2015, BRICS, an association of five major emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has made energy cooperation one of its priorities besides attaining an admirable significant influence on regional affairs …

WSWS (2020-10-19). Chilean government mobilizes police and military on anniversary of social revolt. wsws.org In response to planned demonstrations, Chile's ultra-right government is placing tens of thousands of militarized Carabineros police, Special Forces and military troops on alert.

teleSUR (2020-10-19). Luis Arce: 'We Recovered Democracy and Took Back Our Country'. telesurenglish.net The winner of Bolivia's elections Luis Arce Monday celebrated the unofficial results of the quick vote-counting as he said, "we will govern for all, we will redirect the change without hate." | RELATED: | On Sunday night, Bolivian authorities allowed the results of the exit polls to be presented to the public. There it was observed that the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) won the elections with 53 percent of the v…

teleSUR (2020-10-19). Bolivia: Arce's First Measure: Anti-Hunger Bonds For Poor. telesurenglish.net Pending the official results of the elections in Bolivia, Arce is already preparing a team to organize the transition and restore the state apparatus. | The candidate for the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), Luis Arce, who, according to the quick count of the votes, was the winner of the elections in Bolivia, expressed that the first thing he will do is give anti-hunger bonds to the poor. | RELATED: | Arce sai…

_____ (2020-10-19). Bolivia Elections Live Blog. popularresistance.org Bolivians go to the polls today, Sunday, October 18, in the first general elections since the last democratically elected president, Evo Morales, was forced out in a military coup last November, two months before his term had ended and despite election results showing he had won another term in a first-round election victory. Today's elections had been postponed twice: first from May to September, and then from September to October. While Jeanine àÅñez, whose party had received just 4 percent of the vote last year, had taken office vowing to be a caretaker president until…

_____ (2020-10-19). A Milestone For South African Shack Dwellers Movement. popularresistance.org The shack dwellers' movement of South Africa marked 15 years of struggle for land, housing and dignity on October 4. It held a seminar, Sifike kanjani la? (How did we get to where we are?) and, the following day, relaunched the eKhenana branch of the movement. | The celebration of the 15th anniversary of the formation of AbM was held at the eKhenana Occupation in Cato Manor, Durban. This occupation has an office, a farm, a recreation center and a political school, which is called The Frantz Fanon Political School. The first seeds for the farm were received from the MST (Landless Workers Movement) in Brazil.

sputniknews (2020-10-19). Socialism Wins in Bolivia, Corruption is Brought to Light in France. sputniknews.com After being forced out of power, former Bolivian President Evo Morales' party returns with over 50% of the people's vote.

yenisafak (2020-10-19). Chileans turn bakers and pizza makers as pandemic sparks business boom silver lining. yenisafak.com Chilean Pedro Campos hatched a plan to bake and sell homemade sourdough bread to neighbors after riots in Santiago last year shuttered the restaurant where he worked and the coronavirus pandemic left many shops closed. Business is now booming.Campos is not alone in reinventing himself. More than 2 million Chileans have lost their jobs in the past year, the result of a one-two punch from the mass protests in 2019 and the pandemic this year.Campos told Reuters the predicament forced him to learn a new trade. "I needed to start making something," he said.Now he doubts he'll ever go back to work for someone else.The…

Julia Conley, staff writer (2020-10-19). Amid US Sanctions, Venezuelan Oil Tanker at Risk of Spilling 1.3 Million Barrels and Devastating Caribbean Ecosystems. commondreams.org The companies that own a Venezuelan oil vessel that's been positioned of the country's coast for nearly two years called on the U.S. to give a "green light" to unload 1.3 million barrels of oil after local environmental advocates expressed alarm over the recent tilted appearance of the boat. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/screen_shot_2020-10-19_at_1.50.40_pm.jpg

Max Blumenthal (2020-10-18). Bolivia militarizes on election eve: Dispatch from the capital La Paz. thegrayzone.com Hours before polls opened in Bolivia, de facto Interior Minister Arturo Murillo launched a massive military show of force, praising security forces for removing "dictator" Evo Morales from power in 2019. Max Blumenthal reports from the capital La Paz Video by Ben Norton…

_____ (2020-10-18). Bolivia Elections: All You Need To Know. popularresistance.org Bolivia – According to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, over 7.031.294 people are expected to vote out of the country's estimated population of 11.428.245 citizens. | On October 18, the Plurinational State of Bolivia will carry its first presidential elections after a coup that forced former left-wing Indigenous president Evo Morales to resign on November 10, 2019. Following the coup, Bolivia has faced continued turmoil, political instability, and killings and persecution of progressive leaders promoted by the de facto government of Jeanine Àñez, who tried to change the election date several times to cling to powe…

Joe Emersberger (2020-10-18). Latest UN report on Venezuela is not remotely honest (Part 2). zcomm.org On September 15, UN investigators ( the so called "Mission") published a 411 page report about the human rights situation in Venezuela.[1] Part 1 of my analysis of the report focused on its gross dishonesty about opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez. The Mission reviewed his career since 2000 but never mentioned his proud participation in coup

sputniknews (2020-10-18). Maduro Says Venezuela Received Thousands of Doses of Coronavirus Treatment From Russia. sputniknews.com LA PAZ (Sputnik) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says thousands of doses of a coronavirus treatment have arrived from Russia.

Susan Price (2020-10-18). Venezuela: Could rebellion in the ranks spell trouble for Maduro? greenleft.org.au Venezuela is no stranger to protests. But, unlike other recent protests, today the country is witnessing a wave of "protests of the poor" driven by the difficult situation people face, reports Federico Fuentes.

Susan Price (2020-10-18). Venezuela: Could rebellion in the ranks signal end of Maduro? greenleft.org.au Venezuela is no stranger to protests, registering thousands of demonstrations, rallies and strikes each year, reports Federico Fuentes. However, the country is witnessing a rise in protests of the poor, driven by the difficult situation people face.

Dan Beeton (2020-10-18). Bolivian Elections Live Blog. cepr.net UPDATE: 12: 48 p.m. ET: De facto president Jeanine Anez has posted a message on Twitter congratulating Luis Arce and David Choquehuanca on their apparent victory in today's election. UPDATE 12: 12 p.m. ET: Just after midnight, Unitel reported results of its quick count, conducted by Ciesmori. These are unofficial results from a private company, the …

Sudip Bhattacharya (2020-10-18). The Story is US Imperialism. counterpunch.org As we continue to battle the police and those who depend on their "protection" in the U.S., including the major businesses who donate to anti-racist initiatives all the while continuing to reap gargantuan profits off our labor and limited consumer choices, there are thousands of Bolivians also standing up against a far-right wing government and

teleSUR (2020-10-18). Ecuador's Socialist Binomial To Participate in 2021 Elections. telesurenglish.net On Sunday night, Ecuador's Contentious Electoral Tribunal (TCE) decided that the Union for Hope (UNES) candidates can participate in the elections to be held in February of 2021. | RELATED: | During the afternoon, hundreds of citizens gathered near the TCE headquarters in Quito to await the resolution on the participation of the UNES presidential binomial. | Despite the heavy rain that fell in the capital of Ecuador, p…

sputniknews (2020-10-18). Protesters Rally in Santiago Ahead of Chilean National Referendum – Video. sputniknews.com Originally, the vote was due to take place in April but was postponed until 25 October amid coronavirus pandemic.

sputniknews (2020-10-18). Voting Ends at Most Polling Stations in Bolivia, Supreme Electoral Tribunal Reports. sputniknews.com LA PAZ (Sputnik) – Voting in Bolivia's presidential election has wrapped up at most polling stations, the head of Bolivia's Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), Salvador Romero, told journalists on Sunday afternoon.

sputniknews (2020-10-18). There's Big Chance of Morales' MAS Candidate Luis Arce Winning in First Round, Bolivian Journo Says. sputniknews.com The Sunday election is going to become a litmus test for the de-facto interim government of Jeanine Anez, who took the reins of the country in November 2019, according to Alberto Echazu, a Bolivian political analyst and journalist with La Resistencia Bolivia, who has given his prognosis with regard to the ongoing vote.

Jon Queally, staff writer (2020-10-18). Nearly One Year After 2019 'Right-Wing Coup,' Bolivians Head to the Polls for National Elections. commondreams.org "It is very important that each and every one of us calmly wait for each and every vote to be counted," said Evo Morales, the nation's ousted democratically-elected leader, from exile in Argentina. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/bolivia_elections.jpg