Jacobin Radio Dig: Neoliberalism, Violence, Migration w/ Hilary Goodfriend & Jorge Cuéllar
Nov 18, 2024
In a thought-provoking discussion, Hilary Goodfriend, a postdoctoral researcher from Mexico City, and Dartmouth's Jorge Cuéllar dive into the history of revolutionary struggles in Central America. They explore the aftermath of U.S.-backed regimes and the subsequent rise of neoliberalism. The conversation touches on the mass migration crisis fueled by violence from gangs like MS-13 and the authoritarianism under Nayib Bukele. The complexities of faith, politics, and grassroots solidarity movements also highlight the ongoing struggles in the region.
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Guatemalan Insurgency's Diversity
- The Guatemalan insurgency, starting earlier, was more diverse and fragmented than others in the region.
- It involved various groups, from Trotskyists to peasants, fighting against the military dictatorship.
The Forking Path of 1954
- The 1954 coup against Arbenz in Guatemala foreclosed reformist approaches to social change.
- This led to the rise of revolutionary movements and prolonged internal conflicts.
The Logic of Brutality
- The brutality in Central America wasn't unique but drew on tactics from Vietnam and other counterinsurgencies.
- This violence aimed to subdue populations and eliminate any thoughts of liberation.