Hugo Chavez and the Transformation of Venezuela "experiments in social justice"

Chavez and his crew are taking on the inequities in Venezuela's system. With 80% of the population living in poverty, that's no small feat. Richard Gott's book is one of the only places readers concerned with social justice can find out about the hopeful experiments underway in Venezuela.

There is a huge social experiment underway in Venezuela and few on the American left seem to be paying attention. The military is buying fresh vegetables and meat in the countryside and trucking it to poor neighborhoods for sale at subsidized markets. New state run pharmacies are selling medicine at a 30% discount. The government now provides breakfast and lunch to children at school, which helped boost enrollment by one million over the last year. These are just a few of the social reforms began two years ago with the election of the left-leaning president, Hugo Chavez. The new leader is also trying to trim the fat of corruption and graft within the government by restructuring bodies ranging from the Judiciary to the Constituent Assembly. And Chavez initiated the recent rewriting of the Constitution which now includes such provisions as civil rights for Venezuela's indigenous population.

Hugo Chavez, a former military colonel, has been criticized by Washington as dangerous and undemocratic largely because he attempted a coup in 1992. After his prison sentence was commuted in 1994, he continued working with both military and civilians to build a new political party, the Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) inspired by Simon Bolivar, the 19th century liberator of South America. In the 1998 general election Chavez won the presidency and his allies in the MVR took a majority in Congress.

Anyone interested in this still unfolding drama should read Richard Gott's new book, In the Shadow of the Liberator. This engaging, detailed but fast paced book explains the rise of Chavismo in Venezuela. The story opens with the insane 1989 Caracazo -- city-wide riots and looting by the urban poor triggered by IMF required price increases. The rage behind this eruption had been brewing for generations and it signaled a chance to implement changes Chavez and his people had been working on for years. Gott goes on to investigate the popular unrest -- mostly amongst poor civilians and the lower ranks of the military -- and the key players that help fuel Chavez's eventual electoral landslide. Most impressive are Gott's up to date reporting and interviews with Chavez and many of the president's closest allies and critics.

Contrary to popular belief, the central figures in the new government are not all from the military. Take for example the compelling character of Ali Rodriquez. A former Marxist guerrilla who fought in the hills of Falcon state in the sixties, he later became a labor lawyer in the densely industrialized Ciudad Guyana. Rodriguez now serves as Chavez's Minister of Energy and Mines, in charge of the nation's enormous oil industry. By reorganizing Petroleos de Venezuela, Rodriguez has been able to flip the trend away from increased privatization toward stronger state control. With rents from oil being Venezuela's main revenue source - they are the US's number one supplier - petroleum earnings are crucial for the economic survival of this unevenly developed country. Rodriguez has also reinvigorated OPEC during his two years as its president. In that time oil prices have jumped from $8 a barrel to $27 - substantially increasing the country's income and spotlighting Venezuela's power on the global stage.

According to Gott, Venezuela is now cultivating a fundamentally different relationship to its oil: "More than fifty years ago, people talked of 'sowing the oil', using the oil rent to improve agriculture. This never happened, and Chavez now plans that it will." Oil revenue is the main source of funds for Chavez's "Bolivarian" development projects. Jorge Giordani, Minister of Development in charge of Cordiplan, is responsible for planning the revitalization of the country's rural economy. The development minister, once Chavez's economics tutor, worked as a radical economist and University professor before joining the new government. Giordani's Cordiplan is creating a "revolution in agriculture" by focusing development across the depopulated countryside. To provide affordable housing and sustainable jobs, the government is constructing cooperative farming communities for families. After the mudslides of 1999 which killed 15,000 people living in shanty towns on the steep hills surrounding Caracas, such options are desperately needed.

Heather Rogers has just returned from Venezuela where she was investigating politics, beaches, fruit bats and rum.

(August 10, 2001)" Inspired by Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi and Cuba's Fidel Castro, military strongman Chavez is turning oil-rich Venezuela into a populist, anti-U.S. dictatorship, say U.S. intelligence sources. They tell Insight that Chavez is providing a safe haven for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) narcoguerrillas, an 18,000-man insurgency that began decades ago as an offshoot of the local Communist Party and still clings to Marxist-Leninist ideology."

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(November 12, 2001)"Marin concedes that, to be really sure, the president should be placed on a psychoanalyst's couch. Since Chavez is unlikely to volunteer, a team of AD psychiatrists studied his speeches and his behavior, then passed their report to lawyers who devised a procedure for applying Article 233. It calls for interviews not only with the president but "four close relatives" or friends.

Ultimately, of course, the strategy depends on the political balance of forces. Although it is the second biggest party in congress, AD holds only 26 of 165 seats. And while at least one smaller party has expressed interest in the initiative, there would have to be a split in Chavez's Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) with 85 seats before it could pass. Still, Marin is optimistic: "If people knew how many MVR congressmen tell us, 'Cha is completely out of his mind,' they'd fall over backwards... but, of course, they won't say it publicly."

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(November 28, 2001) Chávez defies protests of his economic policies-"I dare them to have that strike…" CARACAS -- President Hugo Chávez dared Venezuela's largest business federation Tuesday to proceed with a one-day strike to protest his economic policies, saying his government's popularity would win the day.

``I dare them to have that strike. We will see who has more strength, [business] or the sovereign people,'' Chávez said while inaugurating a transportation law. ``I'm the head of state. You're not going to put me against the wall; you're not going to blackmail me.''

Chavez's Threat

There is a huge social experiment underway in Venezuela and few on the American left seem to be paying attention.

Some are paying attention.

Jiang Zemin and Hugo Chavez

A lot on the right are too: FREE OTTO--[Excerpt]-- While the eyes of the world focus on the Middle East, the war on terror has its targets in this hemisphere, too. Unfortunately, President Bush's designated envoy to the Americas must fight this country's shadowy enemies with both hands tied behind his back. Otto Reich, Bush's nominee for assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, is being held hostage by Sen. Christopher Dodd (D., Conn.) who refuses to hold a confirmation hearing on Reich's candidacy. Dodd apparently would rather brood over Reich's performance in the Reagan administration than permit him to address these clear-and-present dangers today:

Venezuela. Hugo Chavez, the increasingly erratic president of this key U.S. oil supplier, has declared himself "a Maoist" and befriended pro-terrorist dictators. A Caracas-based, anti-Chavez group called the National Emergency Coalition published a veritable Chavez photo album in the September 25 Washington Times. In one picture, Chavez rides in Saddam Hussein's Mercedes with the Iraqi thug at the wheel. During an August 2000 visit, Chavez called Iraq "a model" for Venezuela.

In another snapshot, Chavez hugs Iranian President Mohammed Khatami and says, "We have sister revolutions with equal struggles and the same destiny." Elsewhere, Chavez embraces Muammar Qaddafi and calls Libya "a model of participatory democracy." Chavez greets Fidel Castro as well and says that Cuba and Venezuela are "swimming together toward the same sea of happiness."

Chavez also appears to be arming Colombia's Marxist FARC rebels. Colombian defense officials say that between January 1998 and July 2000, they captured 470 clandestine FAL rifles stamped with the insignias of Venezuela's military and its arms manufacturers.

….Snip….

"I need Otto Reich in place," Secretary of State Colin Powell pleaded with senators on October 3. Eight weeks later, Reich's State Department office literally remains empty, its desk unoccupied and bookshelves bare. Even as an overworked career diplomat juggles crucial security and economic matters in Reich's absence, Dodd could care less.

"That nomination's not going anywhere. That's the end of it," Dodd recently snapped. He has hurled at Reich a number of easily refuted ethical charges pertaining to his 1980s service as director of State's Office of Public Diplomacy and as Ambassador to Venezuela. However Dodd will not let his subcommittee hear Reich defend himself. Perhaps Dodd fears looking foolish once Reich demonstrates his innocence. [End Excerpt]

Monday December 3 6:31 PM ET Lawmakers Spar Over Latin America Post-- By KEN GUGGENHEIM, AP

[Excerpt] WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House and the Senate are deadlocked over the State Department's top Latin American position, nine months after President Bush first proposed Otto Reich for the post.

Senate Democrats, led by Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, refuse to hold a confirmation hearing for Reich, whom they consider unqualified. The White House won't withdraw his name, saying he is the victim of a smear campaign.

Any attempt to pull back Reich's nomination probably would upset Cuban-American leaders in Florida - an important base of support to both President Bush and his brother, Jeb Bush, who will seek re-election as Florida governor next year.

Reich's supporters have urged Bush to bypass the Senate and give Reich a one-year appointment during Congress' recess. But Bush advisers say that is not being considered seriously.

A recess appointment would be seen as an affront to Senate Democrats at a time the administration is stressing bipartisanship against terrorism.

Moreover, a recess appointment may not be an option. Lawmakers are considering skipping the recess planned for this month because of the war on terrorism. Some Republicans say Democrats may be trying to prevent the possibility of recess appointments - including Reich's.

Snip....

Web site of Reich opponents: Stop Otto Reich.org [End Excerpt] Otto Reich must really have their number!

book is one of the only places readers concerned with social justice can find out about the hopeful experiments underway in Venezuela.

Can you say liberal unrepenting false prophetic crap?

There is nothing like progressism to lack repenting regression analysis, full of hopeful plans for the future, asking a general in the military to fight poverty, as if it were a military matter. I am astounded by the stubborness and stupidity reigning in the world. This is when imagination primes over reality, what a mess liberal superstition brings us into. Looting the garden of eden of free people producers, instead of protecting them.

What a dark state of affair. Military men are only concerned about cannon fodder, not economics let alone free trade. What a deal Venezuela has there, I feel like hurling.

What a dark state of affair. Military men are only concerned about cannon fodder, not economics let alone free trade. What a deal Venezuela has there, I feel like hurling.

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(February 27, 2001)-- Chávez's school plans ignite furor in Venezuela --[Excerpt] A new constitution written by Chávez supporters requires all schools to teach ``Bolivarian principles'' ---- a code phrase for Chávez's brand of leftist populism ---- and the pro-Chávez majority in the legislative National Assembly is preparing a bill laying out the exact curriculum. .......New history texts for fourth- and sixth-graders published in 1999 praised Chávez's coup attempt and branded as ``corrupt oligarchies'' the two parties that ruled Venezuela since the late 1950s, Democratic Action and COPEI. Chávez has also greatly expanded a system of paramilitary classes in public high schools that had long been on the books but were seldom held, portraying them as ``the founding stones of the new Venezuelan man.''

``He is promoting militarism, infecting texts with viruses that foster class hatreds ... and speak against globalization and privatization,'' Raffalli said in an interview. Chávez recently signed a deal with Cuba under which Havana will train Venezuelan teachers and provide educational materials, and Education Minister Hector Navarro last year approved a nationwide essay competition on the life of Argentine-born Cuban revolutionary Ernesto ``Ché'' Guevara. [End Excerpt]

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(November 8, 2001) -HUGO CHAVEZ SUPPORTERS ATTACK PARENTS (protesting education takeover by Chavez) A supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez holds a brick and threatens the parents and teachers who marched against the government's proposed education reforms in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Nov. 8. 2001. The demonstration ended in violence when the protesters were met by hundreds of Chavez supporters when they reached Congress.

(November 22, 2001)-- Demonstrators clash in Venezuelan riots--[ Excerpt] Recent opinion polls have shown Chavez's popularity falling below 50 percent as many voters tire of his failure to deliver on campaign promises to tackle poverty, corruption and crime. Chavez's approval rating topped 80 percent after the former paratrooper took office three years ago. His current presidential term expires in 2007.

His "revolutionary" government has faced a wave of criticism -- from the Roman Catholic Church, the media, unions, the United States and political parties -- for its authoritarian style and animosity to the private sector.

Chavez, who rose to fame in a botched 1992 military uprising, has insisted drastic measures are necessary to oust the entrenched elites that have run the world's No. 4 oil exporter since the country's last dictator was toppled in 1958.

Snip

It was the second time in two weeks that supporters of Chavez battled their opponents on the streets of the capital, after another demonstration earlier this month deteriorated into violence.[End Excerpt]

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(November 21, 2001)Venezuela's Latter-Day 'Liberator' Loses His Shine-- [Excerpt] He sees in the Venezuelan leader an ill-defined amalgam of left-wing nationalism combined with a crusading belief in social justice and equality that seems inspired, at least in part, by Cuba's Fidel Castro and his socialist Revolution.

Garrido also sees Chavez displaying strong ``militarist'' tendencies, for example in the way he has promoted loyal followers in the armed forces to positions in government and also involved the military in high-profile social projects.

``A process that has reduced political parties to a minimum and increased the protagonism of the military to a maximum is already treading a knife edge between democracy and dictatorship,'' Garrido said. ``Any sudden movement could give you the final definition,'' he added. [End Excerpt]

in free countries/societies, business IS the people.

(June 9, 2001)Fervor Fading Over Venezuela's Chavez--trucking in "supporters" giving marathon speeches-[Excerpt]….Chavez addressed the issue during his homecoming speech, insisting that his popularity ``would never fall because Chavez is no longer Chavez. Chavez is the people.''

Increasingly, such rhetoric is frustrating key Chavez supporters - and has created unprecedented friction within his political coalition.

``Change in Venezuela can no longer be an expectation or a campaign promise. It has to be expressed in public policy,'' Felipe Mujica, president of the government-aligned Movement Toward Socialism party, said in a recent interview.

In a major break in the ranks, Mujica's party accused Chavez of inciting unrest when Chavez threatened in May to grab more power by declaring a ``state of emergency'' designed to fight crime and raise living standards. Chavez has yet to make good on that threat, but he stunned many by announcing he is creating a new political movement to refresh his bond with the people. Chavez gave the new ``Bolivarian Revolutionary Movement'' the vague task of organizing Venezuelans into ``patriotic circles'' to ``defend the revolution.''

…Snip…

``I voted for Chavez because I wanted a change. I used to get so excited listening to him. Today I turn off the television when he's talking,'' said Lisbeth Morales, who recently lost her job as a sales executive. ``The streets are still dirty. We're still afraid of leaving our houses because of crime.''[End Excerpt]

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