The Bolivarian bankruptcy

For those who still harbored any fantasies about the resurgence of communism in our time, disguised as "21st-century socialism," the frustration could not be more complete.

The weight of reality has once again imposed itself, as if people and political parties had learned nothing from the Soviet, Eastern European, Maoist Chinese, and other countries' experiences. Fantasy has become the ghost that haunts Latin America and, unfortunately, certain political parties among us.

Cuba, a beacon of this retrograde left, is an impoverished country that, in its best moments, lived solely on handouts from the former Soviet Union. Later, its handouts were replaced by cheap oil sent by former dictator Hugo Chávez.

Economic collapse is evident, accompanied by a fierce dictatorship that concedes nothing in terms of freedom of expression, press, and movement. Human rights are systematically trampled on this island, which has become a prison. It is surprising that it still attracts followers in our country. The only explanation would lie in the ideological backwardness of Brazilian left-wing groups.

Venezuela innovated in its socialism. Instead of the violent conquest of power, it opted for elections whose sole purpose is to subvert democracy through democratic means. In this way, it managed to capture the sympathy of Brazilian communists/socialists, who lacked ideas and guidance.

In other respects, it is following the Cuban and generally "socialist" playbook. The result is obvious. Freedom of the press is being systematically annihilated, the opposition is violently persecuted, and political adversaries are considered enemies to be imprisoned.

The Judiciary has become a charade serving the Executive branch. The economy is in shambles. Productive disorganization is total. There's even a shortage of toilet paper. Only one expression can describe what is happening: complete bankruptcy.

Argentina, in its very particular blend of Peronism and Bolivarianism, is taking economic populism to its most radical level, accompanied by severe restrictions on freedom of the press and the media in general.

From a major economic partner, it has become an obstacle to the very expansion of the Brazilian economy. Currently, the country finds itself once again in default, after a forced negotiation of a previous default. In other words, funds and creditors who did not comply with this authoritarian imposition have now won their case in an American court.

If the situation in Argentina was already bad, it has gotten even worse. Populist rhetoric will not pull our neighbor out of this mess.

However, these neighbors are members of Mercosur and our partners in any bilateral negotiations that Brazil conducts or plans to conduct. Brazil is tied to countries that are rushing towards the "socialist" abyss.

Trade, which should be the main focus of this association, has become completely secondary, as if it were not its central objective. Mercosur meetings have turned into mere useless forums, stages for aggressive anti-market economy or anti-United States speeches, according to the anti-imperialist playbook.

The economic focus today is political, primarily geared towards defending Argentine and Venezuelan positions, in accordance with their characteristic ideological delusions.

It is no longer possible for the country to tie its future to a populist Mercosur, as this would only result in the collective failure of what is already the individual bankruptcy of these countries.

It is urgent that the next President of the Republic review the guidelines that have governed our foreign policy. Among these, it is imperative that this entity revert to being a common trading market, and not a customs association.

If it doesn't even fully serve the purpose of trade, given the existing restrictions in our neighboring countries, how can these states act as a bloc? Aren't we replacing reality with ideological fiction?