Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Venezuela Election Rally
On November 15 thousands marched into the centre of caracas to support the PSUV candidates Jorge Rodriguez and Aristóbulo Izturiz. Rodriguez is the candidate for the Municipality of Libertador whilst Izturiz is the candidate for greater Carcas.
Filmed by Roberto Jorquera from Direct Action www.directaction.org.au and one of the Organisers of the Australia -Venezuela Solidarity Network (www.venezuelasolidarity.org) Brigade currently visiting Venezuela for the Governor and Municipal elections
Friday, November 14, 2008
Venezuelan elections campaign diary
By Roberto Jorquera
Caracas, Nov 12,2008
PCV calls for nationalisation of financial sector
During its weekly press conference the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) called on the government to immediately nationalise the financial sector. Oscar Figuera, General Secretary of the PCV said that the executive of the government ``should immediately nationalise the Venezuelan financial sector and not wait until the banks collapse''. Figuera argued that these measures must be taken understanding that the ``financial sector is the most reactionary arm of capitalism and central to the problems that the world is facing''.
However, Figuera also argued that this measure should be taken with the involvement of workers in the sector. ``This measure can not just be a change in management but one in which the working class assumes a protagonist role in the administration of the financial sector'', Figuera said.
In conclusion Figuera argued, ``the current crisis of the dominant capitalist system demands a profound transformation in the production system allowing for an advance in the construction of socialism''.
Chavez calls on opposition to accept the results
On November 10, speaking at a gathering of United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) candidates for Governors in Miraflores, Chavez said, ``it is still possible that we can win every Governors position''. With only 12 days to go to the elections for mayors and governors throughout Venezuela campaigning is well under way. PSUV posters and banners cover the walls throughout Venezuela. Street corners are occupied by PSUV election campaign stalls filled with information and campaign materials. VTV, the national Venezuelan television station, is broadcasting almost 24 hours a day information about the elections including interviews with candidates and explaining in detail what it would mean if the opposition where to win any of the governors positions.
Whilst addressing a meeting of PSUV candidates in the city of Ojeda in the state of Zulia, Chavez denounced the plan by the opposition in Zulia to not accept the election results if they where to loose the governorship of that state. ``The opposition is saying arguing that the elections will be filled with fraud''. If the opposition is to win anywhere in the country I will be the first to accept those results, said Chavez and added``On the other hand I call on the opposition to do the same''.
The President of the Bolivarian Students Federation, Carlos Sierra also spoke out against antidemocratic forces that are planning a coup. ``Anti-democratic sectors of the opposition are planning to not recognise the electoral results of November 23 and call for a destabilisation plot'', said Sierra. ``I have received a number of threats via phone, text and email''.
The movement by the name Tupamaros held a press conference on November 11 and also spoke out against the destabilisations plots that are floating around. A spokesperson for the Tupamaros, Hipolito Abreu said, ``we call on the revolutionary forces to be vigilant so that and destabilisation plots organised by the opposition and directed by North American imperialism can be confronted collectively''.
Workers demand justice
Ex workers of Coca Cola gathered outside the Presidential Palace Miraflores on November 11 demanding that Chavez meet with them. The ex Coca Cola workers have been demanding a better retirement payout for a number of years however management has refused to come to the table and negotiate with the ex workers. Hundreds blocked the main avenue leading up to Miraflores for the entire day. The workers where demanding that the national government enforce its one laws that have been passed forcing companies to contribute to workers retirement funds.
Similarly the Ministry of People's Power for Labour headed by Roberto Hernandez has also received a group of workers who work for commercial sectors that used to belong to PDVSA. Jose Bodas, a union representative said that they where arguing for these companies to pay up the increase in wages that was adopted on May 1 under the Presidential decree 982. The decree outlined that workers would receive a 15% pay rise if their wages was below BsF 500 and 10% for those workers that received no more then BsF 700. The union representative said that it is affecting some 40 thousand workers. Minister Hernandez said that he would respond as soon as possible.
Www.directaction.org.au
Caracas, Nov 12,2008
PCV calls for nationalisation of financial sector
During its weekly press conference the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) called on the government to immediately nationalise the financial sector. Oscar Figuera, General Secretary of the PCV said that the executive of the government ``should immediately nationalise the Venezuelan financial sector and not wait until the banks collapse''. Figuera argued that these measures must be taken understanding that the ``financial sector is the most reactionary arm of capitalism and central to the problems that the world is facing''.
However, Figuera also argued that this measure should be taken with the involvement of workers in the sector. ``This measure can not just be a change in management but one in which the working class assumes a protagonist role in the administration of the financial sector'', Figuera said.
In conclusion Figuera argued, ``the current crisis of the dominant capitalist system demands a profound transformation in the production system allowing for an advance in the construction of socialism''.
Chavez calls on opposition to accept the results
On November 10, speaking at a gathering of United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) candidates for Governors in Miraflores, Chavez said, ``it is still possible that we can win every Governors position''. With only 12 days to go to the elections for mayors and governors throughout Venezuela campaigning is well under way. PSUV posters and banners cover the walls throughout Venezuela. Street corners are occupied by PSUV election campaign stalls filled with information and campaign materials. VTV, the national Venezuelan television station, is broadcasting almost 24 hours a day information about the elections including interviews with candidates and explaining in detail what it would mean if the opposition where to win any of the governors positions.
Whilst addressing a meeting of PSUV candidates in the city of Ojeda in the state of Zulia, Chavez denounced the plan by the opposition in Zulia to not accept the election results if they where to loose the governorship of that state. ``The opposition is saying arguing that the elections will be filled with fraud''. If the opposition is to win anywhere in the country I will be the first to accept those results, said Chavez and added``On the other hand I call on the opposition to do the same''.
The President of the Bolivarian Students Federation, Carlos Sierra also spoke out against antidemocratic forces that are planning a coup. ``Anti-democratic sectors of the opposition are planning to not recognise the electoral results of November 23 and call for a destabilisation plot'', said Sierra. ``I have received a number of threats via phone, text and email''.
The movement by the name Tupamaros held a press conference on November 11 and also spoke out against the destabilisations plots that are floating around. A spokesperson for the Tupamaros, Hipolito Abreu said, ``we call on the revolutionary forces to be vigilant so that and destabilisation plots organised by the opposition and directed by North American imperialism can be confronted collectively''.
Workers demand justice
Ex workers of Coca Cola gathered outside the Presidential Palace Miraflores on November 11 demanding that Chavez meet with them. The ex Coca Cola workers have been demanding a better retirement payout for a number of years however management has refused to come to the table and negotiate with the ex workers. Hundreds blocked the main avenue leading up to Miraflores for the entire day. The workers where demanding that the national government enforce its one laws that have been passed forcing companies to contribute to workers retirement funds.
Similarly the Ministry of People's Power for Labour headed by Roberto Hernandez has also received a group of workers who work for commercial sectors that used to belong to PDVSA. Jose Bodas, a union representative said that they where arguing for these companies to pay up the increase in wages that was adopted on May 1 under the Presidential decree 982. The decree outlined that workers would receive a 15% pay rise if their wages was below BsF 500 and 10% for those workers that received no more then BsF 700. The union representative said that it is affecting some 40 thousand workers. Minister Hernandez said that he would respond as soon as possible.
Www.directaction.org.au
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Revolutionary Venezuela and the capitalist crisis
By Roberto Jorquera
While capitalist governments around the world have responded to the freezing up of the capitalist financial system by turning trillions of dollars of public funds over to bankrupt bankers, the revolutionary government of Venezuelan socialist President Hugo Chavez has continued to take steps to redistribute wealth to Venezuela’s working people.
Since being restored to Venezuela’s presidency by a mass revolutionary uprising against a US-backed military coup in April 2002, Chavez has the way towards an ever-increasing state share and control over the natural resources of the country and major industries. In recent years there has been nationalisations in telecommunications, steel, cement, electricity and the banking sector. The Venezuelan government is taking ever increasing control of the main pillars of the economy and increasing price regulations on food. These measures, together with increasing spending on social services and infrastructure, has put Venezuela in position to protect ordinary people from the capitalist world’s economic chaos. At a press conference on October 27 held jointly with the Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, Chavez said: “The consequences of the world's financial crisis are unpredictable, but in Venezuela we had a constituent process where it was developed a new economic system.”
Martin Saatdjian, third secretary at the Venezuelan foreign affairs ministry, stated in an article on October 1 in response to the way in which capitalist governments where responding to the crisis (nationalising or partially nationalising bankrupt financial corporations): “On the other hand, the socialist state intervention prioritises the most basic needs of people. This is the type of controlled and planned intervention that has been carried out by Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, while at the same time maximising democracy, political consciousness, and the participation of the people in managing their own affairs. The enterprises that have been nationalised in Venezuela, such as the main communications company (CANTV), the iron and steel industry (Sidor), and one of the principal banks of Venezuela (Bank of Venezuela), are highly profitable enterprises.
“In the case of CANTV, its nationalisation cost the Venezuelan state roughly $1.6 billion; however, after a full year of operations this company earned nearly $400 million in net profits. At this pace, the Venezuelan state will recover its initial investment is just three years of operations. The resources that previously went into the pockets of rich people or became capital flight, are now being used by the government of Hugo Chavez to finance public heath care projects that are highly beneficial to the neediest people.”
The Chavez government-funded VIO News blog reported on October 16 that a “Miami Herald opinion piece claims that economists ‘agree’ that Venezuela will be harder hit by the global financial crisis than any other country. This is, however, untrue; analysts quoted recently in the Financial Times, Bloomberg, and Reuters have all said that Venezuela is well insulated. Reuters reported that Venezuela ‘will likely emerge unscathed from the current global financial contagion even if tumbling crude prices force the oil-dependent OPEC nation to scale back spending’. AFP reports that Venezuela's stock market has seen a drop in value of less than one percent, while percentage losses are in the teens for Brazil and Argentina, which are among Latin America's largest economies.”
While many US newspapers have claimed that the Chavez government will be hard hit by the fall in oil prices as a result of the global recession – from its speculation-driven peak of US$147 a barrel in July back down to around their 2007 average of $64 – on October 22 Chavez dismissed such claims. Reviewing the evolution of international oil prices since he was elected Venezuela’s president in 1998, Chavez said: “I say, to keep pace with the great campaign that already started trying to foment fear and uncertainty among Venezuelans, even if the price of oil were to fall back to 2006 levels, when it finished at $55 per barrel, you can be totally sure of it, Venezuela would continue growing socially and economically.”
Chavez pointed out that the Venezuelan economy grew by 15% in 2004, when the average price of oil was $32.8 per barrel, and has grown for five consecutive years, during four of which the average price of oil was lower than it is today. “For 10 years [the US capitalists] have been saying that the Venezuelan economy is sinking, and now they are the ones who sank”, Chavez said.
On October 30, the Venezuelan ABN news agency reported that Chavez had called for “a new, fairer, more balanced, and supportive economic and political international system has to be created before capitalism’s meltdown”. In a speech that day, Chavez “made reference to a recent letter written by [retired Cuban president] Fidel Castro, who, among other issues, talked to him about the world financial crisis and North American empire's usage of economic power, `he gives me an explanation about why that model is unsustainable and it is sinking like the Titanic’.
Chavez warned that Venezuela is still alert about this world crisis, ‘because it is like a financial economic earthquake; for that reason I insist on creating a new international economic institutionality and, in this sense, the Southern countries have to fight for it and do not let impose again dollar's dictatorship, its hegemony, the hegemony of a system managed by the International Monetary Fund and the Empire of United States, which is the main cause for this disaster’.”
Chavez stressed that “Venezuelans must know that Venezuela will keep working, as well as Cuba. Social programs are not in danger, nor our missions, social equity, social justice, social inclusion, nor the social development of our people.”
James Suggett, writing for the web-based news service Venezuelanalysis.com, reported on October 24 that “Venezuela’s Finance Minister Ali Rodriguez presented a national budget proposal for 2009 that will increase social spending and is based on predictions of 6% economic growth, a stable national currency, and oil exports at a price of $60 per barrel”. Suggett also reported: “A swift assessment of 2007 figures reveals that Venezuela tops most nations in the world and the entire American Hemisphere (including the United States and Canada) with the biggest international reserves (IR) per capita. According to figures from 2007, for each single person that lives in Venezuela there are nearly $1,300 worth of IR at the end of 2007 ($34 billion total). This per capita amount surpasses the main economies of Latin America, such as: Argentina ($1,141); Brazil ($919), Chile ($1,023) and Mexico ($799). According to these figures, Venezuela's IR surpasses the second Latin American country with most IR per capita, that of Uruguay, by $113. This amount, if multiplied by the entire Venezuelan population (26.4 million), would total nearly $3 billion. Such an amount could be used to tackle the negative impacts of the financial crisis and Venezuela would still be at the top of the Latin American list in IR per capita.”.
Though no country will be immune from the effects of the current capitalist world economic meltdown, the example of Venezuela clearly shows what is possible with an ever increasing socially owned economy directed by a government that serves the interests of working people rather than profits of capitalist corporations.
[Roberto Jorquera is a member of the Revolutionary Socialist Party and is one of the organizers of this month’s eighth Australian-Venezuela Solidarity Network brigade to Venezuela.]
www.directaction.org.au
While capitalist governments around the world have responded to the freezing up of the capitalist financial system by turning trillions of dollars of public funds over to bankrupt bankers, the revolutionary government of Venezuelan socialist President Hugo Chavez has continued to take steps to redistribute wealth to Venezuela’s working people.
Since being restored to Venezuela’s presidency by a mass revolutionary uprising against a US-backed military coup in April 2002, Chavez has the way towards an ever-increasing state share and control over the natural resources of the country and major industries. In recent years there has been nationalisations in telecommunications, steel, cement, electricity and the banking sector. The Venezuelan government is taking ever increasing control of the main pillars of the economy and increasing price regulations on food. These measures, together with increasing spending on social services and infrastructure, has put Venezuela in position to protect ordinary people from the capitalist world’s economic chaos. At a press conference on October 27 held jointly with the Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, Chavez said: “The consequences of the world's financial crisis are unpredictable, but in Venezuela we had a constituent process where it was developed a new economic system.”
Martin Saatdjian, third secretary at the Venezuelan foreign affairs ministry, stated in an article on October 1 in response to the way in which capitalist governments where responding to the crisis (nationalising or partially nationalising bankrupt financial corporations): “On the other hand, the socialist state intervention prioritises the most basic needs of people. This is the type of controlled and planned intervention that has been carried out by Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, while at the same time maximising democracy, political consciousness, and the participation of the people in managing their own affairs. The enterprises that have been nationalised in Venezuela, such as the main communications company (CANTV), the iron and steel industry (Sidor), and one of the principal banks of Venezuela (Bank of Venezuela), are highly profitable enterprises.
“In the case of CANTV, its nationalisation cost the Venezuelan state roughly $1.6 billion; however, after a full year of operations this company earned nearly $400 million in net profits. At this pace, the Venezuelan state will recover its initial investment is just three years of operations. The resources that previously went into the pockets of rich people or became capital flight, are now being used by the government of Hugo Chavez to finance public heath care projects that are highly beneficial to the neediest people.”
The Chavez government-funded VIO News blog reported on October 16 that a “Miami Herald opinion piece claims that economists ‘agree’ that Venezuela will be harder hit by the global financial crisis than any other country. This is, however, untrue; analysts quoted recently in the Financial Times, Bloomberg, and Reuters have all said that Venezuela is well insulated. Reuters reported that Venezuela ‘will likely emerge unscathed from the current global financial contagion even if tumbling crude prices force the oil-dependent OPEC nation to scale back spending’. AFP reports that Venezuela's stock market has seen a drop in value of less than one percent, while percentage losses are in the teens for Brazil and Argentina, which are among Latin America's largest economies.”
While many US newspapers have claimed that the Chavez government will be hard hit by the fall in oil prices as a result of the global recession – from its speculation-driven peak of US$147 a barrel in July back down to around their 2007 average of $64 – on October 22 Chavez dismissed such claims. Reviewing the evolution of international oil prices since he was elected Venezuela’s president in 1998, Chavez said: “I say, to keep pace with the great campaign that already started trying to foment fear and uncertainty among Venezuelans, even if the price of oil were to fall back to 2006 levels, when it finished at $55 per barrel, you can be totally sure of it, Venezuela would continue growing socially and economically.”
Chavez pointed out that the Venezuelan economy grew by 15% in 2004, when the average price of oil was $32.8 per barrel, and has grown for five consecutive years, during four of which the average price of oil was lower than it is today. “For 10 years [the US capitalists] have been saying that the Venezuelan economy is sinking, and now they are the ones who sank”, Chavez said.
On October 30, the Venezuelan ABN news agency reported that Chavez had called for “a new, fairer, more balanced, and supportive economic and political international system has to be created before capitalism’s meltdown”. In a speech that day, Chavez “made reference to a recent letter written by [retired Cuban president] Fidel Castro, who, among other issues, talked to him about the world financial crisis and North American empire's usage of economic power, `he gives me an explanation about why that model is unsustainable and it is sinking like the Titanic’.
Chavez warned that Venezuela is still alert about this world crisis, ‘because it is like a financial economic earthquake; for that reason I insist on creating a new international economic institutionality and, in this sense, the Southern countries have to fight for it and do not let impose again dollar's dictatorship, its hegemony, the hegemony of a system managed by the International Monetary Fund and the Empire of United States, which is the main cause for this disaster’.”
Chavez stressed that “Venezuelans must know that Venezuela will keep working, as well as Cuba. Social programs are not in danger, nor our missions, social equity, social justice, social inclusion, nor the social development of our people.”
James Suggett, writing for the web-based news service Venezuelanalysis.com, reported on October 24 that “Venezuela’s Finance Minister Ali Rodriguez presented a national budget proposal for 2009 that will increase social spending and is based on predictions of 6% economic growth, a stable national currency, and oil exports at a price of $60 per barrel”. Suggett also reported: “A swift assessment of 2007 figures reveals that Venezuela tops most nations in the world and the entire American Hemisphere (including the United States and Canada) with the biggest international reserves (IR) per capita. According to figures from 2007, for each single person that lives in Venezuela there are nearly $1,300 worth of IR at the end of 2007 ($34 billion total). This per capita amount surpasses the main economies of Latin America, such as: Argentina ($1,141); Brazil ($919), Chile ($1,023) and Mexico ($799). According to these figures, Venezuela's IR surpasses the second Latin American country with most IR per capita, that of Uruguay, by $113. This amount, if multiplied by the entire Venezuelan population (26.4 million), would total nearly $3 billion. Such an amount could be used to tackle the negative impacts of the financial crisis and Venezuela would still be at the top of the Latin American list in IR per capita.”.
Though no country will be immune from the effects of the current capitalist world economic meltdown, the example of Venezuela clearly shows what is possible with an ever increasing socially owned economy directed by a government that serves the interests of working people rather than profits of capitalist corporations.
[Roberto Jorquera is a member of the Revolutionary Socialist Party and is one of the organizers of this month’s eighth Australian-Venezuela Solidarity Network brigade to Venezuela.]
www.directaction.org.au
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