Latin America: Why the Left is Losing Credibility

However, in Peru and Colombia the defeated left has not yet recognized the election results. In doing so, she is following the bad example of the right-wing populists Jair Bolsonaro and Donald Trump and does not make them any more likeable.

The reasons why people are turning away from the socialism that has previously dominated Latin America are complex. In Colombia it was the disappointment about the failed peace process by left-wing populist Gustavo Petro. The armed gangs in the country took advantage of the state’s demonstrative inaction during the peace talks to expand their power in the territories. The civilian population paid the price.

Mega prisons

The politically independent International Committee of the Red Cross spoke of the worst humanitarian crisis in ten years. De la Espriella promises to use a hard hand to clean up bombs and mega-prisons. It remains to be seen whether things will really get better for the civilian population.

In addition, the Left is loyal to the Nibelungen repressive dictatorships in Cuba or Nicaragua. Anyone who would otherwise like to loudly and in the media demand that human rights be respected in the USA or Israel, but then look the other way in their own camp when people are locked up, tortured or murdered, loses all credibility. In addition, today’s generation only knows the brutal right-wing extremist military dictatorships of Latin America in the 20th century from stories, but the left-wing dictatorships are present.

Socialism has also lost its convincing power in economic terms. In Venezuela and Cuba, left-wing economic concepts have failed miserably. Now the regime in Havana is trying to stay in power with market-economy, capitalist reforms. The former left-wing extremist regime in Venezuela has submitted to US dictates for the sake of its own survival. None of this sounds convincing.

However, after the policy change, Latin America is also facing the policy change.

The new forces in the Andean region are already feeling the headwind because, despite great promises, they cannot solve the problems by laying on of hands. The Latin American left will use the time to reposition itself in the opposition in terms of personnel and content.

A step in the right direction would be a clear demarcation from left-wing extremist dictatorships. A much better future would then await an actual democratic left than it looks like based on the current electoral failures.