– The common denominator for the left wave is dissatisfaction with a political class that has been responsible for income for a small group, inequalities, and not least corruption. This is what Latin America expert Benedicte Bull, professor at the Center for Development and the Environment at the University of Oslo, says. From 2019, countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Chile have changed political color from blue to red. Last weekend, Colombia elected a left-wing president for the first time. However, there are big differences between the new left-wing leaders and they represent very different groups, Benedicte Bull emphasizes. Professor Benedicte Bull at the Center for Development and the Environment at the University of Oslo. Photo: Arnt Stefansen / news – You have a Pedro Castillo in Peru who has been at the forefront of a district uprising, and has support from social movements in his areas. And then you have broader movements in Chile and in Colombia, where we see a new left that is concerned with equality and the rights of ethnic and sexual minorities. Bull adds that climate and environmental issues are also high on the agenda. A new “pink wave”? Many people have compared recent developments with the left-wing wave, also known as the pink wave “, which started 20 years ago. At that time, almost all of South America and several countries in Central America were led by left-wing governments. There were close political ties, and close co-operation between these countries. Among other things, this led to a reduction in the number of poor people in Latin America from over 40 per cent to 25 per cent in the period 2002 to 2012. In addition, important reforms such as increased equality, greater rights for indigenous peoples and sexual minorities and stricter abortion laws became more liberal. However, the left did not manage to take advantage of the upswing to create solid and sustainable economies. Thus, country after country went into an economic downturn. – But the new left wave is different, Benedicte Bull emphasizes. Bull points out that there have been waves of protests in several countries, such as Chile, Colombia and Peru. These have created new left-wing projects that are very different from each other. They are also very different from the left-wing governments we have seen in the past in Latin America. Gustavo Petro speaks to his supporters after the election victory in Colombia last weekend. Photo: DANIEL MUNOZ / AFP And Colombia’s incoming president, Gustavo Petro, surprised many when he made the following statement after the election winner last weekend: – Our goal is to develop capitalism in Colombia. Enormous challenges Bull believes Latin America’s new left-wing governments face enormous challenges. The pandemic has led to increased poverty and unemployment. And increasingly frequent extreme weather with major flood disasters has put climate and environmental issues high on the agenda. “I think first and foremost that we are facing a development of poverty that we have not seen in Latin America for a long time,” says Latin America expert Benedicte Bull. She believes this is primarily a result of the pandemic, but also of increased food prices as a result of the war in Ukraine. The corona pandemic has created enormous challenges for the new leaders in Latin America. Here from the cemetery in Manaus, Brazil. Photo: Fotoarena / AP The new leaders are also facing increasing contempt for politicians. Confidence in the public sector is low and declining. According to Bull, it takes less and less time after an election before the wear and tear begins. The newly elected leaders have little time to rebuild trust in the institutions and create enthusiasm for new projects. – I am afraid that the new leaders have such great challenges at home that there will not be much energy left for regional cooperation, Bull says to news. Brazil next? Following the elections in Colombia, five of the six largest economies in Latin America are now governed by left-wing governments. And opinion polls suggest that even the country with the largest economy, Brazil, will move to the left after the presidential election this autumn. It can have great significance for Norway’s relations with the region, says Benedicte Bull. She points out that for Norway, Brazil is the most important partner country in Latin America. This applies to both private investments related to oil and gas, and the Norwegian government’s commitment to preserving the rainforest in the Amazon. The election this autumn means a lot, not least for the climate and environmental efforts. The change of power in Colombia is also important for Norway. – The election of Gustavo Petro gives new hope to implement the parts of the peace plan that are still only on paper. It is primarily about land reform and rural development. This is important for Norway, which has invested enormously in the peace process in Colombia, says Latin America expert Benedicte Bull.
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New left-wing wave in Latin America – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
