Energia Progresiva: The Progressive Energy Revolution in Latin America and the Caribbean

A new progressive movement is emerging in Latin America and the Caribbean, aimed at addressing social injustices, climate change, and wealth redistribution within the framework of capitalism. This is reflected in the recent election victories of leftist leaders in the region, including Presidents Gustavo Petro in Colombia, Xiomara Castro in Honduras, Gabriel Boric in Chile, Adronico Rodriguez in Bolivia, Bernardo Arévalo in Guatemala, Ortega Daniel in Nicaragua, Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel in Cuba, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil, and others including the recent electoral success of Uruguay's Frente Amplio (FA) which secured the top position in the first round of the presidential election. The growing trend of progressivism is driven by the high levels of poverty and inequality in the region, particularly in countries like Colombia where 5.2 million people live in extreme poverty, compared to Brazil with 3.6 million. For example, in 2020, Colombia had a poverty rate of around 42%, while Brazil had a poverty rate of around 21%, according to data from the World Bank. I thus coined the term, “Energia Progresiva”, which is an expected shift in this direction with regards to policy, investment principles, societal agenda and economic organization. This new progressive movement, referred to as “Energia Progresiva,” seeks to promote a new form of governance that prioritizes respect for nature, a transition from an extractive to a knowledge-based agricultural and industrial economy, and greater representation of historically marginalized groups based on race, social status, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, physical ability, language, and immigration status—that is, those who have been invisible and unheard—those who have never had a voice in the government. The term “Energia Progresiva” will study and elucidate the human and economic connection to energy. It is worth mentioning there may be arguments against how it specifically relates to energy in the region. Thus, we seek to extrapolate, as the name implies, that energy will play a role in the progressive movement as a means to achieve the movement’s goals including addressing climate change, providing economic opportunities, hastening economic development, promoting sustainable development, and supporting the transition to a knowledge-based agricultural and industrial economy. The exact nature of this connection becomes clearer as we explore the different countries and realities they face. In addition, there may also be challenges and obstacles to progress, such as resistance from existing power structures, economic recession, and geopolitical tensions. The future of the region will depend on the ability of its leaders and citizens to address these challenges and pursue a path of progress and stability. Ultimately, the future of the region will be shaped by a combination of internal and external factors and the decisions and actions of its leaders and citizens. Worth noting is that “Energia Progresiva” differs from previous progressive movements in that it prioritizes a more divergent political narrative and ideological orientation, focusing on the well-being of demographics that have been historically marginalized. The impact of this movement on the future of Latin America and the Caribbean remains to be seen and will be studied in the coming years.