Build global citizenry living together in harmony, not ‘imperialist walls,’ Bolivia’s Morales tells UN

The world is again entering an era of “dark capitalist and imperialist barbarism” which acts against human dignity, the integrity of Mother Earth and the sovereignty of countries, Bolivian President Evo Morales told the United Nations General Assembly today, calling for a “new world order” which, rather than constructing walls, built a global citizenry where all people live together as a common family.

President Morales said that according to UN Data, 94 per cent of all wealth is concentrated in the hands of 20 per cent of the world population; this even as hundreds of thousands of people went hungry or lived in poverty. “This shadowy social reality is the true face of capitalism,” he said, emphasizing that the singular goal for humankind in this century should be to eradicate imperialism and capitalism once and for all.

If imperialism is not eradicated and a new model for society built, the UN Sustainable Development Goals “will become the ‘Goals Sustainable Death;' death for all living beings and Mother Earth,” he declared, adding: “We must also stand alert and take immediate action to stop the barbarism of imperialism from transforming landmark Paris Agreement into […]an instrument of blackmail.”

Capitalist powers are constructing walls and borders everywhere, he continued, “in the water, on land and in the air.” To counter this, Bolivia hopes that a universal citizenry could be constructed instead, where all people live together in harmony as part of a common family.

Among the key examples of imperialist barbarism, he said, are Israel’s expansionist and war-mongering, as well as its ongoing occupation of Palestinian lands, and the unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States against Cuba, both situations he vigorously rejected. Specifically on the United States and Cuba, he underscored that restoration of diplomatic relations is not enough; the US must indemnify Cuba for the decades-long blockade and restore Guantanamo to the island nation.

Condemning terrorism, all forms of violence and war, President Morales said that eliminating such scourges required tackling their roots. “What I mean by this is that while there is poverty and exclusion; while there is racism and discrimination; while there is a lack of respect for the dignity and sovereignty of peoples; and while natural resources are being pillaged for imperialist interests […] violence and terrorism will be encouraged,” he said, calling for a world of peace, dignity and equality for all.

He said that while many nations were impacted by the 2007-2008 financial meltdown, Bolivia had taken measures on its own to stave off the effects of the “global capitalist crisis.” Indeed, Bolivia is one of the countries in Latins America that has been able to achieve complementarity between economic growth, distribution of wealth, public investment and a significant reduction of poverty while building equality. “None of this would have been possible without sovereign measures such as the nationalization of our expansion of our natural resources and our strategic businesses,” he explained.

He went on to spotlight Bolivia’s efforts to tackle illicit drug trafficking, noting that great strides had been made now that the US Drug Enforcement Agency was no longer using 50 per cent of what it captures as “fees” and not carrying out assassinations.

Bolivia overall aims to “build bridges of dialogue and bring down the walls that divide us,” said the President, adding that his country is working to be an example for the world; “a model of dignity and opportunity,” and as such, he reiterated his longstanding call that all basic services be recognized as human rights, as well as the rights of Mother Earth, so a new world order must be based on dignity for all.