The left in Latin America has long relied upon armed struggle and guerrilla wars to gain political power. This classical method of Revolution targeted the rich, the establishment and religion. It left behind a trail of bloodshed and violence.
However, the left has another side that it uses to carry out its Revolution that extends beyond Marxist doctrines. To claim more connection with the masses, leftist ideologues have integrated pagan and tribal elements into their quest for political power.
Gone are the chains of oppressed workers. Indigenous rituals and sacred feathers have now gone mainstream.
The Left and Liberation Theology
This trend reflects changes begun in the seventies. At that time, Marxists got together with key Catholic figures of the liberation theology movement. Together, they promoted a much more radical strain of Marxist thought that incorporated indigenous practices into its struggle. Today’s Revolution is much more cultural than political.
These new Marxists claim the Latin American tribes are much closer to the communist ideal than industrial workers. The tribes have no private property or religious morality. Equality and freedom prevail in tribal life. Enlightened missionaries were encouraged to learn from the Indians rather than evangelize them.
Thus, liberation theology prepared the way for indigenous peoples to become part of the new proletariat representing this more radical program.
When leftist governments now take over in Latin America, strong tribal notes are not far behind. Shamans and witchdoctors with cell phones are finding places in leftist administrations. Strong tribal notes are part of what Marxists are calling the “socialism of the twenty-first century,” which includes all marginalized members of society, such as indigenous people and the LGBTQ fringe.
Denouncing Tribalism in 1977
This maneuver toward a more radical form of Marxism was denounced by Brazilian thinker Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira in 1977. He wrote a book titled: Indian Tribalism: The Communist-Missionary Ideal for Brazil in the Twenty-First Century.
The work documents the fusion of Marxist political thought with idealized indigenous life without property, morality, law or hierarchy. He prophetically foresaw how the left would eventually adopt this vision to help implement its program in Latin America.
Prof. Corrêa de Oliveira also showed how this program ran contrary to Church teaching and invited the faithful to oppose this inversion of values and defend Christian civilization.
The noted Catholic thinker leaves no doubt that the target of these neo-pagan missionaries is the destruction of Western civilization. He invites readers to take note of the words of the subversive preachers: “Listen to them preach about the dismantling of the family and contemporary society, the extinction of modesty and the death of the whole Christian tradition. Listen to them accuse white settlers of being tyrannical oppressors and bloodthirsty thieves. See how they set out to destroy the accomplishments of the pioneers and missionaries of bygone centuries.”
Changing Dynamics
When the book was written, the efforts of those neo-missionaries were oriented toward going forth from society, finding indigenous ideals in the isolated jungles, and inviting people to look upon these cases as examples to imitate. Thus, these ideas would become diffused throughout society through exposure to indigenous practices in native zones.
However, the dynamism of this effort has now changed. Encouraged by Church officials and leftist politicians, the indigenous shamans are emerging from the jungles and entering into political life. Pagan ceremonies are now held in statehouses and public assemblies. Leftist leaders now denounce Christianity as a colonizing force to be avoided and condemned.
Liberation theologians can revise their scripts to promote an “Amazonian” notion of the Church that supports the left’s Revolution.
The Cuban Connection
Reporter Yoe Suarez, writing for The Washington Stand, affirms that indigenous witchcraft is now inseparably intertwined with Latin American socialism. It is found everywhere.
He relates, for example, how Fidel Castro surrounded Hugo Chávez with babalaos—Cuban shamans. They were embedded in the political, military, party and institutional fabric of Venezuela’s Revolution. Their presence helped keep Chavismo in power.
Upon Chávez’s death in 2013, Nicolás Maduro, his now-imprisoned successor, maintained pagan links, especially with the Afro-Caribbean sect called Santería, which often involves controversial animal sacrifices. Shrines dedicated to the religion are found inside the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas.
Bolivia and Colombia Introduce Indigenism
Wherever the left has won in Latin America, one will find neo-pagan sects in action. With its large Indian population, Bolivia is a key center for indigenous political practices. The former Bolivian President Evo Morales made it a part of his program to replace Christian practices with pagan ones. For example, he abolished the use of the Bible during official swearing-in ceremonies. He celebrated his tenth year in power with a state ceremony involving offerings to the earth goddess Pachamama. He promoted shamanistic ritual and spiritual cleansings at ancient sacred sites before being ousted from power in 2019.
In 2022, Colombia’s leftist President Gustavo Petro began his term with a controversial indigenous ritual. This year’s hard-left candidate, Iván Cepeda, and his running mate, Aida Quilcué, an indigenous activist, launched their campaign with an indigenous ritual in Cauca, asking for wisdom and balance. The two lost to the Christian candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella.
Mexican Return to Neo-Paganism
The left in Mexico is also heavily involved in neo-pagan activities. President Claudia Sheinbaum presents herself as an enlightened science professional of the modern world.
However, her inauguration was full of indigenous ritual and imagery. The country’s first female president accepted an indigenous staff of office in the company of women representing 70 indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples. The ceremony included prayers, chants, incense and copa and was presided over by traditional healers and marakate shamans.
While the overwhelming majority of Mexicans profess the Catholic faith, there was no presence of a Catholic priest or prelate at the event.
The Mexican indigenous religions were particularly notorious for their use of human sacrifice to the gods. It is scandalous that modern leaders might desire to return to beliefs that caused so much violence and bloodshed.
Socialism’s Link to Neo-Paganism
However, it is consistent with socialism’s unnatural philosophy and distorted history that it is associated with paganism and witchcraft and its unnatural and barbaric practices.
When a political system has no connection to the natural law that defines good and evil, it will seek to unite with similar systems. Thus, socialism uses tribalism to go beyond classical Marxist myths and adopt the errors of neo-paganism.
The strong links between socialism and indigenism help explain the current leftist onslaught against Western civilization and its fruits. It coincides with the destruction of morals by the Sexual Revolution. This Revolution is further aided by the crisis within the Church, as those who should be opposing it instead support it and spread confusion in its wake.
Indeed, the solution will come from a re-Christianizing of the world, not a return to barbarian pagan times. Fortunately, the left is losing power throughout Latin America as leftist parties are being swept from power. People are not attracted to leftist programs even when wrapped in indigenous trappings.
The leftists resurrect and use the long-abandoned barbaric practices of indigenous peoples as a weapon against Western civilization. They care little for the welfare and development of these peoples who have bettered themselves under the mantle of the Church.
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