J. Posadas (1912-1981)

Homero Rómulo Cristalli Frasnelli- popularly known as J. Posadas, is one of the most prominent (and controversial) figures of Latin American Marxism in the late 20^th century. A devoted Argentine Trotskyist, Posadas was the leader of the Bureau of Latin America for the Fourth International (an international socialist organization founded by Leon Trotsky). After having several conflicts with the Fourth International, Posadas decided to split with them and form his own group with his followers, called the “Fourth International Posadist” in 1962.[1] Posadas developed his own form of Marxist-Leninist-Trotskyist ideologies,[2] such as theories connecting UFOs to communism, nuclear wars being a necessity for a communist revolution, etc. Despite the controversial nature of his theories, the popularity of Posadism made it gain many followers at the time.

            As my research topic focuses on the comparison between Cuban and Peruvian Marxism, I am interested in the broader distinction of Marxism in different Latin American countries. Posadism certainly brings a unique and somewhat bizarre perspective to Marxism which became popular in several Latin American countries at that time. One of his most well-known works is a 1968 pamphlet where he connects the existence of extraterrestrial life and UFOs to capitalism. He argues that the UFOs being spotted indicate the advancements of life on other planets and that can be only possible due to communist ideologies.³ Capitalism tends to make people self-centered and focus on profits, rather than work on the scientific and civilizational progression of mankind.⁴ He was also a traditional Marxist, believing that a proletariat revolution is crucial to overthrowing capitalism. He even goes as far to suggest that a nuclear third world war needs to occur to defeat the United States and that would give rise to a global socialist revolution.[5]

            With the overall global political tension going on during the late 20^th century- such as the cold war and the capitalist/socialist conflict, Posadism was an intriguing concept to Latin America as it brought a new variation of communist/Trotskyist thoughts. Several sources mention Posadism having a huge influence in Uruguay and Guatemala, while it was somewhat influential in Cuba, Brazil, and Argentina. However, due to the radical nature of the theories and the egocentric administration of the Fourth International Posadist, there were many backlashes against it soon after its foundation.[6] Joan Benevant, an Argentine militant, compared the organization to a church where Posadas acted as “the pope”. Even though its popularity has faded away long ago, Posadism’s Ufology theory is one of the prime reasons why it is still a topic of interest today.

Work Cited-

1. Gittlitz, A. M. “The Flying International.”. I Want to Believe: Posadism, UFOs and Apocalypse Communism. Pluto Press (2020): 73-78. https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvzsmdvh.12?seq=1
2. “J. Posadas: Flying Saucers … and the Socialist Future of Mankind (26 June 1968).” Accessed April 30, 2022.
3. Hayter, Teresa. “The Fourth International”. Hayter of the Bourgeoisie. 1971. London: Sidgwick & Jackson, n.d.
4. Gittlitz, A. M. “Flying Saucers, the Process of Matter and Energy, Science, the Revolutionary and Working-Class Struggle, and the Socialist Future of Mankind.”. I Want to Believe: Posadism, UFOs and Apocalypse Communism. Pluto Press (2020): 104-110.