Colombia

•       There are violent riots in Colombia brought about partly because of a proposed tax hike. 

•       It is estimated that 45% of the people in the country are living in poverty.  There are high levels of unemployment.

•       Due to the protests, the proposed tax hike has been withdrawn, but that hasn’t been enough to calm the situation where other grievances are fueling the protests.

•       Political parties have been weakened in Colombia and in effect, ceased to function.  The streets are the only viable political vehicle.

•       “Latin America is going through hell.”  Says Moises Naim, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

•       The consequences of the pandemic have been dire.  Latin America has 8% of the world’s population, but 35% of total Covid deaths.

•       Protest in Latin America is met with arguments of 1) conspiracy – protest is the effect of outside forces (the old “outside agitator” argument;  2) copy cats – this is people copying Hong Kong and other protests; 3) combustion –  people are fed up because of other issues and they take to the streets.

•       There is a covid-enhanced erosion of democratic forms.  There is a concern about decreasing rather than increasing democracy in Latin America.

See the interview with Moises Naim on Amanpour and Company.