Labor unions in Brazil and Colombia have endured decades of political repression, economic hardship, and violence. Despite these challenges, they remain powerful advocates for workers’ rights, influencing labor policies and pushing for economic equality. Colombia’s labor movement has long been marked by extreme violence. The 1928 United Fruit Company strike resulted in a massacre of striking workers, setting a precedent for violent repression of labor activism. During La Violencia in the 1940s, unions aligned with leftist groups and became frequent targets of paramilitary and government forces. Since the 1980s, more than 3,000 union activists have been killed, making Colombia one of the most dangerous places in the world for labor organizers, according to human rights organizations. Assassinations, including those of union leaders Jorge Gaitan Cortes and Luciano Romero, have been linked to both state and corporate interests. Multinational corporations such as Chiquita Brands and Coca-Cola have faced allegations of financing paramilitary groups accused of intimidating and killing union leaders. Political theorist Noam Chomsky has described such tactics as a way for governments and corporations to silence opposition while maintaining a veneer of legitimacy.

"The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum," Chomsky said.

Despite ongoing threats, Colombian unions have continued to advocate for workers. The Central Union of Workers Federation (CUT) has been at the forefront of labor negotiations, securing wage increases and legal protections, often with the support of international organizations.

Despite differences in their struggles, labor unions in both Brazil and Colombia have played a critical role in shaping labor rights. While Colombia’s unions have faced greater violence and suppression, Brazilian unions have found more success in integrating into national politics. Eugene V. Debs, a prominent American labor leader, once said,

"The most heroic word in all languages is revolution."

The resilience of unions in Brazil and Colombia reflects this sentiment, as they continue to fight for fair wages, worker protections, and social justice despite the obstacles they face.International advocacy remains crucial in the ongoing struggle for labor rights in Latin America, where unions continue to push back against political repression and economic instability.