Imperialist Policy and Democracy

In the complex tapestry of global politics, recent events have illuminated the enduring contradictions and tensions that underpin the US political landscape and its relations with territories like Puerto Rico and global issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Kamala Harris's recent visit to Puerto Rico, ostensibly for a Democratic Party fundraiser, was met with widespread protests that underscored the deep-rooted grievances against the ongoing US occupation and the administration's complicity in global atrocities.

The Puerto Rican people, already burdened by the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria and years of harsh austerity measures imposed by the unelected Fiscal Control Board (FCB), viewed Harris's visit as a cynical attempt to exploit their plight for political gain. Organizations like Jornada Se Acabaron Las Promesas and Boricuas for Palestine led the protests, denouncing colonialism, imperialism, and the continued support for Israel's aggressive actions against the Palestinian people. The symbolism was potent: protesters replaced US and colonial Puerto Rican flags with Haitian, Palestinian, and Puerto Rican independence flags, signaling solidarity with other oppressed communities worldwide.

The PROMESA Act of 2016, signed into law under the Obama administration, further exacerbated Puerto Rico's economic woes by imposing stringent austerity measures that intensified poverty and public service cuts. Despite the island's dire conditions, Harris's visit was perceived as a mere photo-op, devoid of substantive policy proposals to alleviate the suffering of the Puerto Rican people. Yanina Arias, an activist with Jornada, captured the essence of this sentiment, stating, “Harris came to take thousands of dollars for [Biden’s] re-election campaign, while the people of Borikén live in extreme poverty."

Adding another layer of irony to Harris's visit was the fact that Puerto Ricans residing on the island are denied the right to vote in US presidential elections, despite being allowed to participate in the primaries. This glaring incongruity exposes the colonial nature of Puerto Rico's relationship with the US, reducing its inhabitants to mere political pawns devoid of genuine representation.

Parallel to these domestic tensions, the US and its European allies' unwavering support for Israel, despite widespread global condemnation of its actions in Gaza, highlights a broader crisis of leadership within the Global North. The recent tragic death of Aaron Bushnell, a young US Airforce soldier who took his own life in protest against the genocide of Palestinians, serves as a poignant reminder of the moral bankruptcy of the political establishments that continue to prioritize geopolitical interests over human lives.

Public sentiment in both the US and Europe overwhelmingly favors an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and supports the Palestinian right to return to their homes. Yet, political leaders in the Global North persistently ignore these sentiments, opting instead for ambiguous statements and half-hearted diplomatic gestures that serve to perpetuate the status quo.

Vijay Prashad, an Indian historian and journalist, succinctly captures this disconnect between political elites and ordinary citizens, stating, "Clarity is not to be sought in the White House, in No. 10 Downing Street, or in the Élysée Palace. It is found in the words of ordinary people in these countries who are heartsick regarding the violence."

In conclusion, the confluence of events surrounding Kamala Harris's visit to Puerto Rico and the ongoing crisis in Gaza exposes the inherent contradictions and failures of US and global North politics. The protests in Puerto Rico and the global outcry against Israeli aggression are manifestations of a growing grassroots movement demanding accountability, justice, and equality. As the political establishment continues to falter, it is increasingly evident that transformative change can only be achieved through collective action and a commitment to socialist principles that prioritize human dignity over geopolitical expediency.