The Organization of American States (OAS), a direct instrument of US imperialism in Latin America was a protagonist in this coup. Another important actor was the Brazilian government, currently led by the fascist Jair Bolsonaro with full support of the Brazilian military, that served as a prefect for US interests in articulating the coup locally. This modus operandi is the same that was in place during the military dictatorship, when Brazil served as a centralizer for coups and dictatorships in the region, even serving as a direct instructor for methods of repression and torture that were applied throughout Latin American dictatorships.
In face of this situation, it is evident that Evo Morales followed incorrect policies before and after the coup.
Evo Morales was aware of the threats against his government, but instead of mobilizing the popular masses to respond to the attacks, he sought conciliation with the Bolivian rightwing. Deluded by the possibility that the electoral process could be respected, Morales faced the crisis completely unprepared. After that, he capitulated and called for new elections, to finally step out of power and seek asylum after an ultimatum from the Bolivian Military. Evo Morales never tried to mobilize the population that is effectively the only force capable of preventing the coup.
This line of conduct had disastrous consequences for the population. The people were caught off-guard, without sufficient time to mount an adequate reaction against the attacks perpetrated by the far-right.
Such is the case, that the Bolivian working class took to the streets by its own initiative, to confront their familiar foe: the Bolivian far-right. However, this heroic reaction was disorganized given the lack of preparation and organization.
To repress the Bolivian working class, the far-right unleashed the State repression forces to massacre the population on the streets. In this moment, it is vital to organize self-defense committees and the armament of the population, to respond not only to the repressive apparatus but also to far-right groups that inflict violence against the people.
In Brazil, working class organizations need to denounce this coup d’état in Bolivia and offer all support to our Bolivian neighbors and brothers. They need all support available in their struggle to defeat the far-right and the coup, led by imperialism, in particular the USA.
