Numerous countries in Latin America began experiencing social unrest over the last few years. By 2019, protests in a variety of countries—including Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela—were actively evolving into general expressions of mass discontent, particularly economic discontent, related to living conditions for the middle class and the poor.
Concerns have been raised related to human rights abuses by these same Latin American governments in attempting to stifle the protests. For example, UN human rights investigators have repeatedly condemned the unjustified use of military force for many such protests in Latin America.
BOLIVIA
In Bolivia, protests have their genesis in politics, i.e. the results of the disputed presidential elections held in October 20, 2019. Whereas Bolivian interim President Jeanine Áñez has guaranteed a date for new elections, the attitude of her provisional government continues to alarm human rights groups at both national and international level. There is reason to believe that Bolivian protesters are not only being deprived of their fundamental human right to free expression, but are also victims of excessive force by Bolivian police forces from the Áñez government.
CHILE
In Chile, the announcement of an increase in public transportation fares exacerbated the already severe national economic crisis. In response, Chilean protesters have continued to demonstrate against issues such as growing social inequality, the poor national health system and inadequate state financial support for education, particularly for the most disadvantaged.
Incidents of ill-treatment and sexual violence against campaigners by members of the Chilean police have increased, and the overall situation remains at an impasse without any sign of improvement in the short term.
COLOMBIA
In Colombia, demonstrators have been protesting the government’s proposal to raise the national pension age, political corruption, and the increase in the number of murders of human rights activists.
Despite President Duque Márquez’s apparent openness to dialogue with different sectors of Colombian society, domestic labor strikes continue, and popular discontent remains high in the country.
Demonstrators do not seem willing to stop the protests unless the Colombian government endorses some meaningful political and economic reform.
ECUADOR
In March 2019, Ecuador had requested a US $4.2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which the IMF was willing to provide on the condition that Ecuador cut its budget deficit. Ecuador decided to cut fuel subsidies, which in turn produced a wave of protests from different areas of the population. Ultimately, the government did not cut the subsidies.
VENEZUELA
In Venezuela, the supporters of the self-proclaimed government led Juan Guaidó have reinitiated demonstrations against Nicolás Maduro. One of the pillars of protestor complaints is generally poor economic conditions in Venezuela.
Andrea has recently completed the ‘M.A.S. in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law’ from Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, a MA of Global Affairs & Policy (PIC)’ from Yonsei University, South Korea, and a BA of Korean Language, Culture and Society from Ca’ Foscari University, Italy. She has worked at Seoul based NGO 'Human Asia' as a human rights intern. She is passionate about social justice, public health, human rights and the rule of law.