In an extraordinary session, the OAS (Organization of American States) condemned this Wednesday (11) what it described as a coup-like and fascist mobilization in Brasília, after supporters of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) destroyed headquarters of the Three Powers.
Luis Almagro, secretary general of the OAS, echoed the request to find out who financed the acts. “This fascist wave forms part of a movement present in other countries: they spread fake news, appropriate national symbols and despise diversity.”
Gathered in Washington, where the organization is headquartered, diplomats from member countries repeatedly said that the scenes in Brasilia are not an isolated fact and asked the OAS to develop more energetic strategies to act against coup movements in the Americas.
The provocation came from the Colombian ambassador to the organization. “Destabilizing events have to lead the OAS to make a self-criticism in relation to what it has done so far and what should guide our future work”, said Luis Ernesto Vargas, who was supported by the Argentine representative.
María Cecilia Villagra said that the organization could “end up being seen as the bearer of a biased view and a mere instrument for political discussion” if it does not rediscover its “essence” and adopt a more energetic stance in the face of episodes like the one in Brasília.
The Uruguayan Luis Almagro also pointed out the inconsistency of the coup leaders, who, in his words, integrate ultranationalist ideologies while at the same time contradicting speeches such as the one made by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) in his inauguration, when he defended the fight against inequality and poverty.
Representative of Brazil, diplomat Otávio Brandelli said that “the regrettable acts of violence and vandalism will not be tolerated”. “Brazil has just held broad, free and democratic elections. President Lula’s inauguration was a celebration of democracy.”
He drew attention to the number of foreign delegations that came to Lula’s inauguration —there were more than 70, especially from countries in Latin America and Africa—, which, he said, demonstrates the confidence of the international community in Brazilian democracy.
The Honduran ambassador to the organization, Carlos Roberto Quesada, warned that it is not known in which other regions a phenomenon similar to what happened in Brazil can be replicated. “This is already becoming a bad habit”, he said, calling on Latin American presidents to go to Brazil if “it is necessary to defend democracy”.
The urgent meeting was requested this week by the president of Chile, Gabriel Boric, and the president of Colombia, Gustavo Pedro, two of Lula’s main allies in the neighborhood.
Together at the Palacio de La Moneda in Santiago, the leaders called the scenes in the Brazilian capital an extreme right-wing coup that dates back to another historical period: the disruptions to democracy caused by military coups in Latin America between the 1960s and 1970s.
“What is in danger is the democratic pact in the Americas. This is not a problem exclusively of South America. The same thing that happened in Brasilia happened in Washington”, said Petro during his visit to Santiago, referring to the 6th of January in the USA. “It’s a far-right coup against something they don’t want: democracy.”
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
