Across Latin America, people are rising up to defend public education and oppose budget cuts driven by the neoliberal policies of the region’s wave of right-wing governments. Bolivia: On Tuesday, Bolivian teachers took to the streets of Cochabamba for the second day of a 48-hour strike against the government’s proposed reforms to the administration of educational institutes. Unions warn that the changes threaten free public education for students and job security for teachers. Peru: Members of Peru’s Unitary Union of Workers in Education (SUTEP) took to the streets of Lima on Oct. 29 to demand decent retirement benefits and greater investment in public education. Costa Rica: On Wednesday, teachers took to the streets to demand adequate funding for public education. According to teachers, the constitution requires 8% of GDP to be allocated to education, yet the proposed 2027 budget allocates just 4.9%. Chile: On Wednesday, police used water cannons and tear gas to repress students and trade unionists protesting President Kast’s proposed 2027 budget, which includes cuts to university funding and various public education programs.

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