AS 2022 comes to an end, the reactionary coup in Peru — and the ongoing deadly repression of those demonstrating against it — shows just how important our international solidarity with left-wing and progressive forces in Latin America is, including in Bolivia, where recent anti-democratic, right-wing violence has currently lessened, but remains a persistent threat. 

Friends of Bolivia — which has been supported firmly from the start by the Morning Star and a range of labour movement bodies, existing Latin America solidarity organisations and progressive figures — has therefore been collecting support for the solidarity statement below, and is pleased to publish the current level of support. 

This is part of our ongoing and important work urging people to pledge to stand with the amazing achievements in Bolivia in terms of advancing democracy, equality and social progress — and to stand against any future anti-democratic destabilisation, external intervention or right-wing coup threats.

Join us in solidarity with Bolivia and against the US empire — a better world is possible!

Statement Text: Solidarity with Bolivia — Stand with democracy & social progress

Bolivia’s Movement Towards Socialism Party (MAS) and President Luis Arce recently marked two years in office after achieving victory in the 2020 election.

These elections were the first held since a military-led coup ousted legitimate president Evo Morales three years ago in November 2019 — and we applaud the moves since then to advance democracy and social progress, including through rebuilding the economy, advancing environmental protections, and a range of policies to reduce poverty.

In this context, we condemn the recent violent attempts from anti-democratic, extreme right-wing groups to destabilise the elected government in Bolivia.

Incidences of the violence included — but were in no ways limited to — injuries in Santa Cruz due to wires hung across streets at roadblocks; far-right supporters setting fire to the indigenous campesino federation union building; press workers being threatened, targeted and attacked while reporting on the far-right violence; the breaking into and looting of the building of the Central Obrera Departamental (COD) union federation and a wave of racist attacks against indigenous Bolivians across the city.

We pledge to stand in solidarity with the people of Bolivia in building a better society, in opposition to violent, anti-democratic destabilisation, and against any new threats of coups or external intervention.

Signed by over 1,000 activists across the British labour movement, including:

• The Friends of Bolivia Team
• Richard Burgon MP
• Jeremy Corbyn MP
• John McDonnell MP
• Grahame Morris MP
• Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP
• Jon Trickett MP
• Baroness Christine Blower
• Baroness Pauline Bryan
• Baroness Shami Chakrabarti
• Lord John Hendy KC
• Mick Whelan, Aslef general secretary
• Sarah Woolley, BFAWU general secretary
• Doug Nicholls, GFTU general secretary
• Simon Dubbins, director of international, Unite the Union
• Celia Dignan, international secretary, National Education Union
• David McKnight, Unison North West Region
• Jess Barnard, Labour NEC member
• Yasmine Dar, Labour NEC member
• Kate Hudson, CND
• Lindsey German, Stop the War Coalition
• Luke Daniels, Caribbean Labour Solidarity
• Roger McKenzie, international editor, Morning Star
• Ronan Burtenshaw & Marcus Barnett, Tribune magazine
• Matt Willgress, Labour Outlook
• Sam Browse, Labour Friends of Progressive Latin America

Friends of Bolivia has plans to expand further on this amazing labour movement support in 2023. You can get involved by:

• Signing this statement at http://bit.ly/standwithdemocracy 
• Following us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BoliviaFriends
• Getting updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoliviaFriends 
• Visting our website at https://friendsofbolivia.wordpress.com 
• Joining our stall and workshop at the Latin America 2023 Conference in London on Saturday January 28, which will feature special guests from Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Venezuela and beyond - More info at www.latinamericaconference.co.uk and buy your tickets at https://bit.ly/LA23ticket