Latin America and the Caribbean


“A movement in formation”: Online Screening on La Via Campesina and RWR Facebook pages

From now on, more than ever, capitalism will only offer us more crises of conflict, war, migration, global warming, hunger, pandemics and death. In this context, formation in La Via Campesina with a perspective of human emancipation is strategic. It has the historical task of contributing to forging collective political subjects, capable of mobilising consciences, resources, and processes for the…

BLACK LIVES MATTER: END OF PREPARATORY WORKSHOPS AHEAD OF 4TH TUCA CONGRESS

Representatives from different trade unions affiliated to the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) stressed their commitment with the struggle for racial equality today. They also expect to ratify this commitment during the 4th Continental Congress to be held by TUCA from 20-23 April. With the workshop titled “The fight for racial equality in trade unions and the world…

For a universal, solidarity-based, public, inclusive, comprehensive and redistributive social security system

Real World Radio interviewed Francisca Jiménez, Deputy Chair at TUCA, in charge of closing the second pre-congress workshop of the 4th Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) Congress. The activity titled “The trade union strategy related to the reforms of social protection systems in light of the ‘Future of Work’” was supported by the Bureau for Workers´ Activities (ACTRAV)…

The gender perspective and gender justice: where are we headed as a trade union movement?

The first workshop ahead of the 4th Congress of the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) focused on the gender perspective and gender justice. Real World Radio interviewed Jordania Ureña, Trade Union Policy and Education Secretary at TUCA, who acted as facilitator during the workshop. Ureña highlighted that “gender issues should not only be dealt by women. This is…

The Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) is ready for two key weeks

This Monday, the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas will start four days of intense work with its affiliated organisations, allied and international institutions that support its work, through four pre-congress workshops ahead of their 4th Continental Congress to take place from 20-23 April. Both events will be held online. “The creation of these spaces is part of a process…

COPINH calls for international support during David Castillo trial

On 30 March, Bertha Zúniga, General Coordinator of the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organisations from Honduras (COPINH) held an online press conference, in which she called for the support of human rights organisations and activists during the trial of the former president of Desarrollos Energéticos SA (DESA) company. David Castillo is accused of being one of the masterminds behind…

Marianela Mejía Solórzano of OFRANEH: “They are calling us ‘invaders’ of our own lands”

Marianela Mejía Solórzano and her sister Jennifer, members of the Honduran Black Fraternal Organisation, OFRANEH, were detained on 3 March of this year. They are among the 32 OFRANEH members who currently face arrest warrants, accused of supposedly “usurping” lands from the company Bienes y Raíces Juca SRL which plans to build real estate projects on ancestral territories. The arrest…

Berta Cáceres murder case: David Castillo to face trial

Roberto David Castillo Mejía is a Honduran businessman, former government employee for the state energy agency, and later Executive Director of the company in charge of the Agua Zarca hydroelectric project: Desarrollos Energéticos S.A (DESA). Berta Cáceres and the Lenca community from Rio Blanco opposed the installation of DESA’s project on the Gualcarque River. The project was granted a 20-year…

Peasant leader denounces systematic violence in Colombia at UN Human Rights Council

On Thursday 25 February, Nury Martinez, Chair of the National Agricultural Union Federation (FENSUAGRO), member of La Via Campesina in Colombia, will address the plenary meeting of the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council. She will denounce the systematic violence and repression of peasant organisations in Colombia, as well as the ongoing selective threats against defenders of land…

“HEADING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION:” CIVIL SOCIETY EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER DIRECTION OF UN FOOD SYSTEMS SUMMIT

The Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism (CSM) addressed the Chair of the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS), Thanawat Tiensin, last week, demanding a new course for the Food Systems Summit set to take place in September 2021. “The CSM cannot jump onto a train that is heading in the wrong direction,” state the member organisations in this…