Over 250 people gathered in Central London, on Saturday 28 January, for the 17th annual Latin America conference. At the home of the National Education Union (NEU), the conference provided an opportunity for delegates and activists to take inspiration from how people from right across the region have fought back – from progressive mass movements to the struggles for independence and sovereignty and resistance to neo-liberalism and US domination.
The last Latin America conference took place in December 2021 and, since then, the region has undergone further change. The return to power of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil in December provides enormous hope, especially following the election of other left and progressive governments.
Opening plenary
CSC Chair Bernard Regan opened proceedings by thanking our hosts, the NEU, and highlighting their long history of international solidarity and their crucial support for a number of campaigns focused on the region.
Bernard then introduced the opening panel, with US-based author and lawyer Dan Kovalik invoking the memory of Roberto Clemente, a baseball player for his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates who lost his life delivering aid to the people of Nicaragua, a memory which he said embodies the internationalism at the core of the Latin America conference. After detailing the brutal impact of US sanctions on Venezuela and Nicaragua, Dan closed with a message to all those present: “Latin America has consistently been the biggest hope in my life. Let’s keep supporting our comrades.”
Her Excellency Rocio Maneiro, the Venezuelan Ambassador to the UK, saluted what she called “the biggest and most powerful solidarity movement with Latin America in Europe”, before emphasising her nation’s complete rejection of foreign intervention, demanding that their democratic processes and rights as a sovereign nation are respected.
Surveying processes in countries such as Brazil, Bolivia and Colombia, the TUC’s Senior International Officer Mariela Kohon outlined how a combination of mobilisations from social movements, to labour organising to electoral campaigning have delivered inspirational results in “the region where the left is consistently winning.” Mariela highlighted the irony of seeing trade unionists in Colombia and Peru sending messages of solidarity with the British trade union movement in the face of anti-strike laws and applauded their commitment to internationalism.
Assistant General Secretary of UNISON, Kevan Nelson, recounted Cuba’s long history of the resistance to the United States, reflecting that “on the 170th anniversary [José] Martí’s birth, let’s remember that Cuba’s anti-imperialism didn’t start in 1959.” Detailing the many accomplishments that have been achieved since the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Kevan described Cuba as an “example to the world”, proclaiming that “UNISON remains steadfast in its support for Cuba and the Cuba Solidarity Campaign.”
Closing off the opening plenary, Labour MP for Leeds East Richard Burgon celebrated the “advance of progressive forces” in the region, highlighting the significance of Colombia’s election of Gustavo Petro in a country which has historically been a reserve of reaction and acted as the US’s policeman in the region. Richard expressed hope that while “Latin America was the birthplace of the neoliberal model which has failed the world…it has fought to be its graveyard too.”
Throughout the day more than 60 speakers took part in 23 seminars and film screenings, and delegates browsed stalls from solidarity campaigns, progressive organisations and publishers.
Final plenary
After a full day of 23 seminars, on topics ranging from climate justice and ecology in Nicaragua to making black lives matter a reality in Latin America and the Caribbean, the conference closed with the final plenary chaired by Assistant General Secretary of Unite Diana Holland. Opening the panel, Director of War on Want Asad Rehman gave an impassioned speech, calling for activists can take hope from how social movements in countries such as Colombia and Brazil have challenged the power of capital and its associated reactionary politics.
Delegates then saw a short film focusing on the huge political significance of Lula’s election victory in Brazil, which the next speaker witnessed first hand. Zarah Sultana, Labour MP for Coventry South, acted as an electoral observer in Brazil and described how Lula has “built an inspiring front for the soul of Brazilian democracy” and encouraged all those in attendance to continue with the important work of international solidarity, particularly in the face of threats to undermine the region’s progress.
Her Excellency Barbara Montalvo spoke of how “the world needs solidarity, cooperation and mutual respect, not blockades and sanctions” in order to face our common challenges. Barbara restated Cuba’s absolute commitment to “peace, unity and diversity” in the region in order to “achieve a more just and equitable world for all.”
Just days away from a historic day of industrial action for his union, NEU Joint General Secretary, Kevin Courtney outlined how trade unions have been central to progressive advances in Latin America and in mounting crucial opposition to the reactionary threats they face.
Closing the session , MP for Islington North Jeremy Corbyn told delegates of the need to oppose the use of lawfare to depose progressive leaders in the region, from Brazil to Peru, and paid tribute to the extraordinary social movement that saw the restoration of democracy in Bolivia following the coup in 2019. And while Bolsonaro supporters showed their true colours by attacking government buildings to try and overturn the election result, Lula showed his by thanking the cleaning staff who had to deal with their mess. Jeremy began drawing his speech to a close by highlighting the danger that Cuba poses as a nation. Not a danger to its people, to the people of Latin America, or the world, but a danger “because of its example… an example of how a country can choose to invest in its people.” Jeremy brought to conference to a close by calling all activists and trade unionists to show practical solidarity with all those in Latin America helping to build a better world.
Latin America 2023 organisers would like to thank all the speakers, volunteers, delegates and supporting organisations who attended, especially the National Education Union, without whom the event would not have been possible.
Latin America Adelante! Conference 2026 