UNISON West Midlands went on a Solidarity Tour organised by the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign over May Day 2007. Dave Auger, UNISON West Midlands International Officer, prepared this report.
For more information on the VSC Solidarity Tours Contact Us.
Including:
Introduction, Missions, Trade unions, Press Freedom, Participatory Democracy, Endogenous Development Centres, Land reform, Professor José Angel Arenas, Community Councils, 23rd January Barrio, Community Radio, Bolivarian University, Simon Bolivar Hospital, Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, Solidarity Tours
In 1992 Hugo Chavez an officer in the paratroops regiment led a coup against the right wing government.
When it became clear the coup had failed, Chavez surrendered and took full responsibility for the coup. For a leader to take such responsibility in Venezuela was unusual and he actually gained greater respect and support among ordinary Venezuelans.
During his imprisonment Chavez reflected on his actions and decided that the democratic process was the way forward.
During his imprisonment he also developed his thoughts on what became known as the ‘Bolivarian Revolution’ which seeks to transform the lives of the nations poor who account for over 65% of Venezuela’s 24 million population.
In Government Chavez established new political, economic and social rights (through a new constitution introduced in 1999 and passed by 72% of the vote in a national referendum).
With the aim of redistributing political power and expanding participation in decision-making.
Although initially a Nationalist, Chavez came to realise that only through a socialist programme could their aims be achieved but a socialism which does not repeat the perceived failings of previous socialist revolutions.
This Venezuelans call Socialism in the 21st Century.
SIMON BOLIVAR
Simon Bolivar was an 18th century hero of liberation in Latin America, and although most famous as the liberator of Bolivia (which is named after him) was actually Venezuelan and as such is the most revered of historical figures in the country. The joke that everything is named after Bolivar is not too far off! In addition, many of the missions through which much of Venezuelans progress is being made are named after his generals.
“a perfect system of government is one that gives its people utmost political stability, social security and happiness”.
Much of the international media and governments ‘loyal’ to the United States are critical of Chavez and he is often perceived as a dictator. Even those on the alleged left are not averse to promoting this perception or in the words of Denis Mcshane (former foreign minister).
That Hugo Chavez has been democratically elected on two occasions is deliberately overlooked by those. Last December he was re-elected with 63% of the vote on a 75% turn-out (the largest in Venezuela’s history).
It is clear that what the Chavez government advocates is not populist rhetoric or short term give-aways but a long term programme to build participatory democracy in Venezuela. That it believes in order for this to be built on firm foundations, the majority of poor, uneducated people need to be empowered through education and health programmes targeted directly at the barrios.
Only then will the democratic process be meaningful and open to them.
With the richest oil reserves in the world, Venezuela has something most previous radical governments in the world have not, finance.
This is a two fold weapon in that it not only provides funding for the ambitious social programmes of the Bolivarian revolution, but also makes Venezuela immune to the economic pressure usually applied by the United States in these situations.
But again this finance is not being frittered away but is being used to create a whole new infrastructure of schools, hospitals etc. Along with the taunts of ‘dictator’ are also the concerns expressed regarding the ‘cult of personality’. This a concern expressed by many on the ‘left’ and trade unionists (and in truth was a concern of ourselves) that no radical or socialist movement can remain healthy if too much power or to much faith is placed in one person.
That Chavez is the ‘face’ of the revolution is evident on the streets of Caracas.
Around the city the many projects growing from government are accompanied by giant posters extolling the virtue of the project. These posters invariably have the face of Chavez on them rather than the face of the appropriate minister.
The view is put however that Chavez himself is unhappy with this situation. However (without being derogatory) the majority of poorer people are not a sophisticated electorate, they are people living hand to mouth day to day who see Chavez as a ‘saviour’ and one of themselves.
Chavez is the first president from an indigenous background and this generates a great deal of racism from the middle-class, who with a predominantly European heritage see Chavez as ‘black’ or ”marginal”. It should also be pointed out that the ‘middle-class’ have lost nothing under Chavez other than their perceived status. Indeed, under the programme to introduce community councils with the right to spend local resources, middle-class areas will have the same right conferred as poor areas.
The aim of the Bolivarian revolution is more about equally up, than down.
As the social programmes make more and more progress this is changing. The opportunity to gain a decent education and the opportunity that gives to people to both reflect on situations and voice concerns is developing democracy in Venezuela.
Dave Auger,
West Midlands UNISON
International Officer
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