El izquierdismo I

A lot can happen in 100 days. In as many, Fernando Lugo hopes to show the people of the Republic of Paraguay that he can lead them out of a 60 year slump. They have seen improvements in the last few years, and it seems that the people are more conscious of their own role in enriching the country. And while there is some talk of individual work ethic, there is more talk throughout Latin American of socialism, liberals, and democracy, though it’s yet unclear what exactly those terms mean. Most Paraguayan industries have been nationalized for years, so Lugo’s job will be to make them more transparent. He has appointed ministers from all political parties and renounced the presidential salary. On his first day, he arrived at the office by 6 am and later had a simple lunch of beans, rice, and mandioca with his guards. Readily visible over the weekend was his friendship with Hugo Chávez, with some apprehensive of more collaboration between the two. It seems that Lugo has enough intelligence to avoid being coerced by Chávez, and hopefully will be able to focus on what got him elected: the people. He threw a party for them over the weekend and even hosted it at the Palacio de López, a palace that has long been the seat of a less sympathetic commander in chief. In a recent speech commending Lugo’s role in what he calls a “social revolution in Latin America,” Chávez remarked that anyone who couldn’t see that revolution—which may just now be reaching its quite long-winded crescendo—must be blind.

The prevalence of the word che in paraguayan Spanish a well as in other South American countries to me suggests somewhat a communion between the people. You’re liable to hear it in about 50% of the orations that take place in social situations. Over beers or tereré with friends, at a football game, or in the office, che or chera both starts and is appended to sentences. In strict terms it is an interjection given to an animal or person meaning stop or halt, but colloquially it is used more endearingly. It has been around for a long time and has disputed origins; the most convincing is that it derives from the general reference to “man,” “people,” or “friend” in American Indian language. On his motorcycle trip through South America, Ernesto Guevara was nicknamed Che because of his frequent use of the term, and is still idolized as the de facto social revolutionary.

In Guaraní, also an official language of Paraguay, che primarily means “I,” which gives the word its connotation of individuality. In his well-received speech this weekend, Lugo emphasized the role of individuals in making the government more efficient, economy stronger, and increase the quality of life. One of his ministers joked that she was rethinking her appointment after Lugo’s speech: he expects the ministers to work effectively and transparently. Not quite in the job description for public functionary here in Paraguay: the term funcionario has become slang for one of the 250,000 government workers who just don’t do much at all during their workday. This is changing, though, and the new generation doesn’t believe in receiving posts for party affiliation, and are starting to see that their work is the only thing that can prop up the people. Passed through the Spanish and Guaraní languages, che seems to be an expression of unity, with its connotations of revolution, the people, and individuality. It is even suggested that the term may be an abbreviation of the word escuche: listen.