Venezuela

Venezuela: Chávez's state-capitalism falters

A decade since Hugo Chávez proclaimed the “Bolivarian revolution” in Venezuela, his project is mired in stagnation. For all the rhetoric about “21st century socialism”, the Bonapartist regime continues to preside over Venezuelan capitalism and to stifle the emergence of a genuine independent labour movement. The hostility of the US government may have made Chávez an “anti-imperialist” icon, but it is fantasy to believe his forces are part of the revival of working class politics. Recently Chávez added three days to Venezuela’s Easter holiday to bolster government efforts to reduce electricity...

Impressions from the class struggle in Venezuela

This material was produced last year by Wladek Flakin, a member of the socialist youth organisation Revolution in Germany. Wladek was previously a member of the Workers Power group, but expelled; he is now an independent. The articles were originally printed in the Permanent Revolution journal. Despite our many sharp and fundamental disagreements with the politics of the whole Workers Power/Revolution/PR spectrum, we reprint this material, with Wladek's permission, as a contribution to helping the left understand what is happening in Venezuela. For the AWL's extensive coverage on Venezuela...

Being at odds with the USA does not make Ahmadinejad a friend of the workers

It is fortunate for the Iranian regime that it has a loyal network of supporters outside its borders, prepared to defend it against the “terrorists” as the Iranian opposition are now known. Some of the most outspoken defenders are not, as one might expect, brother clerics but… people on the “liberal” and “socialist” left. The Morning Star was ready to quote approvingly the words of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, quick to welcome Ahmadinejad’s re-election. According to Chavez it was a win “for all people in the world and free nations against global arrogance." However, the Morning Star is...

Workers of the world

Iran In late November, Education International (international federation of teaching unions) received information from contacts inside Iran that Kurdish teacher activist Farzad Kamangar was being prepared for execution in the notorious Evin Prison. There was a flurry of activity, with many thousands of people around the world responding to the request to email Iranian president Ahmedinejad against Kamangar’s execution. Latest reports suggest that Kamangar is still alive, but he remains in imminent danger. Kamangar has been convicted of involvement with the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) but his...

Revolutionary socialists killed in Venezuela

Richard Gallardo, Luis Hernández and Carlos Requena, members of the Unidad Socialista de Izquierda (USI, United Socialist Left) and of the UNT trade union federation in Venezuela have been killed.

According to reports on the Aporrea website, the three men were killed in the early hours of this...

Anti-semitism in Venezuela

By Jack Yates The insects that swarm around decaying human bodies reveal a great deal about the cause and timing of death. Stomach contents are even more informative. Pathologists drain the fluid, conduct biological and chemical tests, look carefully at samples under the microscope. In this way they can pinpoint the exact cause of death, or at least discern the last meal of a murder victim. Analogous methods can be applied in politics. You can tell something about a regime by the vermin it attracts. But to get some sense of the real cause of political illness, a peek inside the guts is...

Independent workers' party to stand up to Chavez

By Paul Hampton Two reasons to cheer in Venezuela recently, as socialists restarted the task of building an independent workers’ party, separate from Chávez’s ruling bourgeois PSUV. In April supporters of Orlando Chirino within the C-CURA trade union left organised a conference to establish a new workers’ party. Chirino has a socialist and trade union history predating Chávez’s time in power, and is a leader of the UNT trade union federation. In recent years he was also a leader of the PRS socialist party. He opposed Chávez’s constitutional referendum and was victimised for trade union...

Venezuelan socialists get organised

Two reasons to cheer in Venezuela recently, as socialists restarted the task of building an independent workers’ party, separate from Chavez’s ruling bourgeois PSUV.

In April supporters of Orlando Chirino within the C-CURA trade union left organised a conference to establish a new workers’ party...

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