Last Saturday, August 29, an important international roundtable discussion was held, organized by the Campaign Against the Criminalization of Protest and Workers’ Organizations. With the participation of labor, social, and youth leaders, as well as human rights defenders from more than 15 countries, the event reaffirmed the campaign to gather signatures in support of the Declaration launched several weeks ago, announced the submission of a report to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and—most importantly— an international meeting in Ecuador, where the country’s labor federation, CEDOCUT, will host the event from October 29 to 31. In this report, we reproduce excerpts from the main testimonies presented during the event.

Edwin Bedoya: President of CEDOCUT and FUT, Ecuador

Daniel Noboa’s administration has been intensifying its persecution of various sectors of the labor, indigenous, and peasant movements in Ecuador. How is the Noboa administration acting against the labor, indigenous, and peasant movements? What consequences is this policy having on those who are fighting and organizing?

Tom Alter: Professor at Texas State University and member of Socialist Horizon, United States

In the United States, measures to persecute those who express views critical of the system and advocate socialist ideas are also on the rise. Tom Alter was fired from his position as a professor at Texas State University after participating in a conference on socialism. How does his dismissal relate to the overall situation in the United States and to the growing sympathy for socialist ideas? What does this kind of persecution reveal?

Jean Mendoza: Secretary General of SITRAEMAS and member of Marea Socialista, Venezuela

Nicolás Maduro’s government presents itself as a leftist and anti-imperialist government. However, workers and union leaders denounce persecution and criminalization under laws such as the so-called “Hate Speech Law.” Jean Mendoza, general secretary of the timber workers’ union and a leader of Marea Socialista, was charged under this legislation in a dispute involving a multinational timber company. What does Jean’s case reveal about the situation of workers in Venezuela?

Norma Lezana: APyT Garrahan, Argentina

The struggle of the workers at Garrahan Hospital became one of the main acts of resistance against Javier Milei’s administration. The historic strike led by its workers secured a 61% wage increase, making it one of the few major victories achieved against the government. Now, those who led that struggle are facing new attacks and workplace persecution. Norma led a historic strike that wrested a 61% wage increase from the Milei administration. Now they are trying to fire her from the hospital. What message should we send to the Garrahan workers and to all those facing austerity measures and criminalization?

Raymar Aguado Hernández: Socialists in Struggle and member of the LIS, Cuba

Cuban youth are facing a profound social and economic crisis. While grappling with the consequences of the imperialist blockade, activists and segments of the youth denounce the political persecution carried out by the Cuban government. What is the reality facing young activists today—and, in particular, the so-called Generation Z in Cuba? How do the social crisis, the imperialist blockade, and political persecution against those seeking to organize and fight all intersect?

Hermen Alexander Gómez Sánchez: President of Sinaltrafamilia, Colombia

In Medellín, workers at Essity, a multinational company that manufactures hygiene products, are facing layoffs and are carrying out a protest with tents set up in front of the company. The Sinaltrafamilia union is leading the struggle. How important is international solidarity in sustaining the Essity workers’ struggle? How can the international organization help counter the layoffs and the employers’ offensive?

César Latorre: ATSA’s Bordó Group, Argentina

After more than 20 years of work and union activism at one of Argentina’s leading private hospitals, César Latorre was fired without cause. For years, he served as general delegate on several occasions and was one of the leading figures in the opposition to the bureaucratic leadership of the private healthcare union. After two decades of work and union activism, what does this attack signify against those who build a union opposition and confront bureaucratic leaderships?

Stella Chinchilla: Communications Specialist, Costa Rica

The persecution of critical voices is also taking place in Costa Rica. Stella Chinchilla has denounced the relentless persecution and policies of repression during Rodrigo Chaves’s administration and the continuation of this situation under Laura Fernández’s administration. Why did this persecution and harassment against Stella occur during the Chaves administration? What changed—or what didn’t change—under his successor, Laura Fernández?

Carlos Guevara: Socialist activist with the ISL and attorney, Panama

During the 2025 social uprising against the government of José Raúl Mulino, teachers’ activism and organizations such as SUNTRACS were at the forefront of the mobilization. The subsequent repression and persecution targeted leaders and activists. How should we analyze the repression and persecution that followed the 2025 rebellion? Was it class retaliation, a political decision by the Mulino administration, or a combination of both? What is the significance of this process?

Camilo Parada: Human Rights Advocate, Chile

The situation of the Mapuche people continues to be marked by militarization, repression, and persecution. Changes in government have not brought about a substantial shift in this policy: Mapuche communities have faced repression both during Gabriel Boric’s administration and under the current administration of José Antonio Kast. What is the current situation of the Mapuche people in Chile? What similarities exist between Boric’s repressive policies and those being implemented by Kast?

Jaime Vilela: University professor, Bolivia

Jaime Vilela, a social sciences professor at the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, was criminalized after denouncing incidents related to union fraud in Bolivia. Why did denouncing fraud and defending a democratic union end up becoming grounds for criminalization? What is the analysis of the political reasons behind this persecution?

Claudio Mora: FATE worker and member of the Agrupación Gris of SUTNA, Argentina

The struggle of the FATE workers became one of the most symbolic conflicts against Javier Milei’s economic plan and his policy of destroying domestic industry. The occupation of the factory also led to legal proceedings against the workers. The FATE struggle was a turning point because it showed just how far Milei’s plan for “industricide” can go. After more than six months of conflict and with workers facing prosecution for the factory occupation, what conclusions can be drawn from this process, and what lessons does it offer?

Elmer Rosales: Nicaraguan Exile

Thousands of young people and Nicaraguan activists were forced to leave the country after confronting the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. While reports of political prisoners continue, those in exile also face the impossibility of returning to Nicaragua. What is the current situation of Nicaraguan youth and activists in exile? What is it like to live far from home while political prisoners still exist and the persecution of those who oppose the Ortega-Murillo regime continues?