On the first day of the Day of Integration of Latin American and Caribbean Peoples, we interviewed the Minister of the Presidency of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Maria Nela Prada.
In the context of the celebration of the Day in Foz do Iguaçu and the intention to strengthen the integration of peoples, the Minister reflected on the power of solidarity and the richness of diversity that comes from below.
Prada pointed out the importance of promoting integration at a time of right-wing attacks in “seemingly democratic contexts” and stressed the role of social movements in defending the rights won. Imperialism is trying to provoke the retreat of the peoples through different neo-colonial, neo-patriarchal, and neo-fascist forms, he said.
Among the main concepts expressed by the Minister, she stressed the need to build a multipolar world based on principles and values that come from social organizations.
The Minister thanked the solidarity of the people and social movements during the coup d’état in her country. “Thanks to the social movements, their struggle, unity, and awareness, we have regained democracy in less than a year,” she said.
“We believe in integration from the heart, an integration that must be based on the principles of solidarity, reciprocity, and complementarity,” said Prada.
On the other hand, she considered that it is precisely the social movements, beyond individuals, that give permanence and depth to the processes, and that they are the ones who put their bodies “where they need to be”. He also pointed out that it is the responsibility of the popular governments that emerge from the organizations to strengthen the popular movements that “are always there” and resist.
Regarding the Bolivian government’s firm support for Brazilian President Lula’s position condemning the genocide in Gaza, the diplomat said that President Arce’s decision had previously been discussed with the social and trade union movements. As interim Foreign Minister at the time, it was Prada’s responsibility to announce the severing of diplomatic relations with Israel and to condemn the aggression against the Palestinian people.
The minister added that Bolivia was providing humanitarian aid through Egypt and had joined South Africa’s call for the International Court of Justice to investigate the crimes being committed against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
“We are in a global struggle for the right of the Palestinian people to live in peace, for a free Palestine, for a sovereign Palestine. The voice that we raise from spaces like this is fundamental for the Palestinian people to know that they are not alone in the face of the tremendous atrocities that they are living,” he concluded.
The interview was conducted by Erika Giménez (ARGMedios), Lucas Estanislau (Brasil de Fato), and Javier Tolcachier (Pressenza).
