An international campaign is underway in defence of 21 workers facing trial for their involvement in a labour dispute following the unfair dismissal of nine workers at the Fundimeca fan assembly plant in Valencia.
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On August 20, Uruguays sole union confederation, the Inter-union Plenary of Workers–National Convention of Workers (PIT-CNT), organised its first 24-hour general strike since the centre-left President Tabare Vasquez, from the Frente Amplio (FA), was elected in 2005.
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On August 27, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced the end of negotiations with former owners Ternium over the nationalisation of the Sidor steel factory, stating that the government would take over all the companies that it has here, insisting Ternium can leave.
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The owner of Fundimeca, an air conditioning factory in Valencia, Carabobo, is waging an intense campaign of terror and intimidation against the factory’s work force.
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Violent attacks on police officers, roadblocks, civic stoppages enforced by armed fascist youth groups and threats to cut off meat supplies and take over gas fields have all been part of what left-wing Bolivian President Evo Morales has denounced as an attempted “civil coup” by “desperate people” following his August 10 recall referendum victory.
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With 99% of votes counted, Bolivia’s first indigenous president won a crushing 67.43% vote in the August 10 recall referendum.
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Announcing the nationalisation of Banco de Venezuela, which will now be put at the service of the people, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez stated during a live televised broadcast on July 31 that it would be transformed into a socialist bank.
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Speaking on his weekly program Alo Presidente on August 3, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced important steps towards unity of pro-revolution parties in the lead-up to the November 23 regional elections.
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Given everything that is occurring in Tarija, Santa Cruz, Pando and Beni, we have to denounce that we are on the threshold of a real coup detat against the constitutional order, announced Bolivian minister of the presidency, Ramon Quintana, on August 7.
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Colombia is a “narco-state that applies and puts into practice state terrorism that affects the region”, insisted Nicaragua’s ambassador to the Organisation of American States (OAS), Denis Moncada, on July 24.
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With the August 10 recall referendum on Bolivian President Evo Morales and eight out of nine prefects (governors) approaching, the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) government, together with the social movements, has launched an offensive against attempts by the right-wing opposition to prevent the electoral process going ahead.
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Tensions and uncertainties continue to rise as what some are calling a bout of referendumitis sweeps through Bolivia.