Mike Gatehouse

Lula acted decisively to halt the Bolsonarist insurgents who invaded the centre of government in Brasilia on 8 January. But coup-mongers are numerous and active, not least within the armed forces, while the right retains control of Congress.

The Bolsonarist insurrection which invaded the Congress, Supreme Court and Presidential palace in Brazilia, has provoked outrage in Brazil and internationally. While it poses extremely serious problems for President Lula and the new government, the rebels succeeded in presenting themselves as vandals and terrorists.

Chinese companies are behind rapid expansion of gold mining in the Mayaya region of Bolivia, and are invading the Madidi National Park. Bolivian journalist and LAB correspondent Sergio Mendoza travelled by canoe down the Beni and Quendeque rivers, witnessing how the illegal mining activity is hidden by Bolivian mining cooperatives and supported or permitted by the government.

Lula took office on 2 January, greeted by a sea of enthusiastic supporters who had travelled from all over Brazil. Former president Jair Bolsonaro fled to Miami and the new administration lost no time in undoing some of his most harmful measures

President Castillo's doomed attempt to dissolve Congress led to his immediate impeachment and arrest. Vice President Dina Boluarte took over, but faces mass protests and a broadly hostile Congress. Can she survive?

LAB 's new book 'Women Resisting Violence' publshed, with one chapter available to Patrons to read. News from Brazil as an uneasy transition proceeds with Bolsonaro supporters still active, angry and dangerous.

LAB's environmental defenders series is expanded with new articles on Guatemala and Mexico. Worrying news about oppression in Nicaragua. Sobering lessons for the left from the first round of Brazil's elections.

Chilean voters decisively rejected the new draft constitution, throwing into doubt the whole progress towards reform and advance that emerged from the decision to draw up the draft, and the election of Gabriel Boric. Meanwhile in Brazil, Lula leads the polls.

Legislation being proposed in the Peruvian Congress would remove central government and environmental controls over indigenous lands and reserves. Indigenous organizations are vigorously opposing the change

With Bolsonaro AWOL and his supporters claiming electoral fraud, fomenting violence and trying to provoke a military coup, Lula and the PT face massive difficulties and levels of polarisation remain extremely high