Considerations of Some Events that Occurred in the World in 2022

Year 2022 was marked by a highly complex sociopolitical environment, as events occurred that made ripples throughout the planet. Such is the case of the Covid-19 pandemic, the first phenomenon of its kind in this century that reached every corner of the world. And although its beginning as a calamity was in 2020, even two years later we suffered its consequences that transcended the field of health, also with important effects on global economy.

It’s an event that charted a new course in our lives with the imposition of routines and the suppression of all normalcy. Several waves of the disease by more or less powerful strains, caused many deaths; however, this 2022 stood out for overcoming the outbreaks, reaching very low numbers of contagion throughout the world, largely thanks to the vaccines created by the scientific community.

Another event that put humanity on edge was Russia's special operation in Ukraine, based on important historical tensions that triggered violent actions. Since February, the confrontation between the two territories has not only brought misfortune to the region, but its consequences have even reached the most distant countries because, once again, the economic parameters shifted.

Both Russia and Ukraine are a source of numerous resources with a global reach, which is why the production of fuel, gas, fertilizers, and essential foods such as wheat and sunflower oil were affected. The war situation triggered a significant international turmoil, its havoc caused the interruption of supply chains, it also forced migration, and strained diplomatic relations.

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia shows that the world continues to be polarized, and the same ways of proceeding of great oligarchies that use neoliberal methods as they see fit continue. Under false pretenses and in support of the Ukrainian side, the Russian government had to endure sanctions from international organizations and nations such as the United States and allied countries; and it also resisted the smear campaigns on behalf of the large media networks. Likewise, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, NATO, and many more organizations, banded together to the detriment of the Russian nation and devised whatever pressure they could think of.

As for government representatives, we recall that on September 1^st, the Vice President of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, was the victim of an attack with a firearm outside her residence. Three months later she learned of the sentence to six years in prison along with the disqualification for life from holding public office, but she was acquitted.

Likewise, Honduras made headlines early in 2022 when Xiomara Castro assumed the presidency as the first woman to govern that Central American nation. Her alternative proposal before the previous neoliberal governments, gives her administration a renewing air. Among her promises are changing the history of her country by establishing a new rule of law, as well as providing security and increasing the economy so that her people live with dignity.

In the electoral history of Honduras, Xiomara Castro has been the candidate with the most votes.

Other events also marked the political destiny of the region with the ratification or coming to power of leaders with a progressive tendency. In January Daniel Ortega assumed his fourth consecutive term in Nicaragua, while two months later Gabriel Boric became the president of Chile.

However, we want to highlight the election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in Brazil, who, in the second round, was ratified as the winner of the presidential elections. His term will begin on the January 1^st, 2023, with great expectations for his people, who hope that he will restore to the South American nation the life it lost with his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro.

In June, Colombia made the front pages after Gustavo Petro was elected president of that country, the first with a tendency to the left, materialized since August 7^th. Traditionally the Colombian nation is conservative, which is why Petro's rise to power is striking, and although he has denied that he will turn his government into a socialist one, he undoubtedly has all the gazes of the right-wing world on him.

His campaign promises are directed towards change and the union of Colombians. Analysts highlight his contribution to the peace process, also in the search to normalize relations with his neighbor Venezuela, and in arranging alliances with the United States. Likewise, they refer that the challenges to fulfill what was promised such as the tax reform, improve local economy, strengthen security, and social policies are substantial.

Little can be predicted because it’s still too early for evaluations, however Latin America is once again in the spotlight as a possible focus of progressive governments with a tendency to the left.

In this regard, a recent event that had been brewing for at least a year and a half was the coup d'état in Peru, inherited from a deep political crisis that led to the dismissal of its elected president, Pedro Castillo, preceded by his intention to dissolve the Peruvian Congress and declare the Government an emergency exception, and followed by protests and demonstrations, more deaths and injuries in confrontation with the police forces.

As we have published here, Peru is polarized. Castillo acted without the support of his own government and the Armed Forces, and now he is facing legal proceedings for alleged rebellion, while they ask for his permanent disqualification. For their part, in the streets the people demand their release, a new congress, and general elections.

Turning our heads to Europe, on September 8^th, the world was shocked by the death of the Queen in the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II, at the age of 96 years of age. All the international press echoed this event, and her funeral was followed in detail, attended by hundreds of leaders, members of other royal houses, international leaders, and celebrities, to pay her respects at Westminster Abbey, in London.

With her death ended the longest reign in the world, with seven decades as monarch. She was automatically succeeded in the throne by her heir, today King Carlos III, at 73 years of age.

Also in the month of September, it started a wave of protests in Iran, which will be remembered, above all for the reason that triggered them. According to the international press, it happened due to the death of Mahsa Amini after being detained by the morality police because she did not follow the strict state regulations on the correct use of the hijab.

Amini was only 21 years old, it’s presumed that after her arrest and on her transport to a "re-education center", she was tortured and cruelly beaten by law enforcement officers. After her death, more than 40 Iranian cities saw intense protests and clashes with law enforcement. According to reports, the demonstrations have not stopped until today approximately 500 deaths have been accounted.

This event is still developing, and it’s above all, an alert to violence against women in sexism environments that still persist in the world. Local media indicate that the event led to a social movement and goes beyond demanding justice for Amini.

On other issues, this December the II Summit of Leaders of the United States and Africa was held, considered an effort by the Joe Biden government to compete and prevail over the influence of China on the African continent.

Experts consider that the initiatives of the United States with Africa are unreliable, they are attractive, but mask the intentions to impose, interfere and dominate. While the Chinese proposal offers another approach to security and stability, it’s almost noble and more generous than its counterpart, flexible, creative and non-interfering, with the aim of helping Africans grow from their own potential.

Similarly, the climate emergency was present this year with hurricanes, heat waves and fires, droughts, and intense rains that caused floods and landslides. All of it makes us verify the true existence of global warming and the disaster looming ahead.

The best-known weather phenomena this year were the floods in Pakistan, where approximately a third of the territory was submerged, wreaking havoc on agriculture, forcing migration, and killing more than 1,700 people. According to statistics, about 15% of its population was affected, that is, 33 million people. What has happened since June in that Asian nation caused a major economic and social crisis.

Also, different regions of Europe, the United States, and China registered extreme heat which caused the death of thousands of people. A large number of individuals had to seek refuge, and both flora and fauna were endangered.

This is just one example of what happened in 2022 in terms of environment. In this regard, two major summits were held in November and December: the XXVII Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change (COP27), in Egypt; and the XV meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), in Canada.

Both events brought together experts on the subject at a global level to review the agendas and face the crisis generated by climate change with a high impact on humans, biodiversity, and, ultimately, the health of the planet. Immediate action strategies were proposed to treat the urgency.

Other events marked 2022 such as the resignation of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, after a series of scandals and the loss of support within his own administration and the Conservative Party; the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe; as well as the purchase of the social network Twitter by Elon Musk and the restoration of the account of the former president of the United States, Donald Trump.

We also highlight midterm elections in the United States and the re-election of Xi Jinping as general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). An unresolved recurring issue is constant migration, especially to the United States and European nations.

These are just some of the events we consider important for this year that ends due to its importance in the political, economic, and social environments. These were twelve intense months that marked us as a society and invite us to ask ourselves where we are heading as humanity.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff