On Tuesday May 3, in the Schmitt Academic Center at DePaul, Jeff Frank (of the
National Lawyers Guild, Friends of MST (Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement)), Vicki Cervantes (of the Honduras Solidarity Network), Juan David Lopera (of the Congreso de los Pueblos Colombia), and Jesus Rodriguez Espinosa (Consulate of Venezuela in Chicago) hosted a panel sponsored by DePaul University Department of Peace, Justice, & Conflict Studies, Friends of the MST, Congreso de los Pueblos Colombia, La Voz de los de Abajo, Chicago ALBA Solidarity, and Consulate of Venezuela in Chicago.
Brazil’s right wing opposition voted to begin impeachment against progressive President Dilma Rousseff, even though she is not accused of having committed a crime. The majority who voted to impeach her are themselves under investigation for corruption and other crimes. On March 31, 700,000 marched in support of Rousseff.
Brazil is the latest example of U.S. backed right-wing neoliberal resurgence in Latin America. The events in Brazil follow the U.S. supported coups against democracy in Honduras (2009) and Paraguay (2012), failed coup attempts in Ecuador (2010, 2015), Bolivia (2009), repeated stealing of elections in Haiti, and the ongoing attempt to overthrow President Maduro of Venezuela. Jeff Frank will report on his recent trip to Brazil, including the killing of peasant leaders; other short reports will address the increase in death squad activity in other countries and the role of the U.S.
Full video here:
