Latin America Protests Imperial Arrogance

US imperialism is once again at it. In yet another display of imperial arrogance, it has ordered its friendly allies – France, Spain, Portugal and Italy – to deny permission to a plane flying Bolivian President Evo Morales to his country from Moscow.

In what are increasingly becoming classic cases of 'concrete information' from US 'intelligence', they claimed the presence of Edward Snowden in the flight of Evo Morales. To nab the 'fugitive', Morales' plane was forced to land in Vienna, Austria. Setting aside all diplomatic niceties, UN Conventions and Resolutions, Austrian security officials searched the plane for Snowden. The search proved futile. The entire incident displayed the scant regard these so-called developed countries have for the sovereign rights of developing countries.

The entire Latin America, justifiably rose together in condemning this assault on the rights of the Bolivian President. This included Columbia, Chile and Peru whose governments are not part of the other perceived Left wing regimes in the continent. This, in itself, shows how isolated the US had become, particularly on this issue. Shamelessly, the Indian government which was once considered the champion of developing world and the Non-Aligned Movement did not utter a single word of condemnation. Moreover, Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid went on record defending the snooping done by the US that was exposed by Snowden. So, no surprises in Indian government's rejection of Snowden's asylum request. It is yet another confirmation of our government's kowtowing to the imperial diktats of the US.

Contrary to this servile position of the Indian government, many Latin American Heads of the governments, not only came out in support of Morales, but also reiterated their defiance to the imperial methods of the US. They reaffirmed their resolve to carry forward their anti-imperialist positions. Nicolas Maduro, the newly elected president of Venezuela and the chosen successor of the late Hugo Chavez offered Snowden asylum. He said “In the fatherland of (Simon) Bolivar and (Hugo) Chavez, he can come and live away from the imperial North American persecution.” Rafeal Correa, President of Ecuador played an important role in not only alerting his colleagues in the continent but also requesting a meeting of the UNASUR to condemn the incident. He said, "...either we graduate from being colonies or we reclaim our independence, sovereignty, and dignity. We are all Bolivia!"

"This is a humiliation for a sister nation and for the South American continent," said Cristina Fernandez, President of Argentina, describing the plane's rerouting as a "vestige of the colonialism that we thought we had completely overcome." She said Morales' "total and indisputable" immunity as Head of state had been violated when he was "illegally detained in old Europe."

The Cuban government said the detention of Morales was an “unacceptable and unjustifiable act that offends Latin America and the Caribbean”.

Morales who was subjected to this treatment expressed his indignation. "They want to frighten and intimidate me but they won't scare me," he said and added, “The Europeans and Americans think that we are living in the era of empires and colonies. They are wrong. We are free people. They think that by intervening in our affairs, staging coups, installing neoliberals or military dictatorships they can suck out our resources. But this is in the past, they can no longer do this.”

Throughout Latin America, there was a sense of deep injustice and offence at this violation of international law and an act of aggression. Many eminent intellectuals, artists and cultural icons joined their voice on the issue and condemned the US. Argentine Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel said that the “diplomatic kidnapping” was a “pretext to scare, threaten and try to silence Latin America’s fight against corruption, domination and fascism.”

Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador and Chile condemned European nations' handling of the case, with Brazil expressing "indignation and condemnation of the restrictions imposed on President Evo Morales by some European countries." Mexico's federal government issued a statement saying it lamented the way Morales was treated and urged countries to adhere to "good diplomatic practices."

A joint declaration was issued following the meeting on July 4 after Morales returned home and in which Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Uruguayan President Jose “Pepe” Mujica and the President of Surinam, Desi Bouters, participated. It condemned the European powers of turning the Bolivian president into “virtually a hostage” and setting “a dangerous precedent in relation to existing international law.” It went on to demand that the governments of France, Portugal, Italy and Spain provide explanations for their actions and issue “public apologies” for the “grave acts” committed against Morales.

The statement denounced the extraordinary forcing down of a Head of state’s aircraft in mid-flight as an example of “neo-colonial practices” and condemned “illegal acts of espionage that threaten citizens’ rights and the friendly co-existence between nations.”

Bowing to the public outrage, the socialist government in France issued an apology. The Spanish government mumbled that it was 'asked' to act on 'certain (accurate) information'.

Nobel laureate Barack Obama who is vehemently defending the spying activities of the US was caught with his pants down. Inspite of his repeated assertions and non-chalance that he is not “too much worried about a 29 year old hacker” the swoop down on Morales' plane betrays his anxiety to nab Snowden. The entire episode has once again exposed how imperialism, the leopard, never changes its spots. It has also brought out into discussion the larger issues involved – of human rights, liberty, fraternity and equality – the very ideals of French and American revolutions that these countries are now intent on trampling upon.

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