Alberto Lovera Circula Bolivariano de New York – 2013-04-11 01:31:30
Special to EAW
APRIL 11 A NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION TO SUPPORT THE BOLIVARIAN REVOLUTION
TELL WASHINGTON & THE VENEZUELAN ELITE:
NO TO DESTABILIZATION EFFORTS IN VENEZUELA
New York Protest at Times Square, 4PM
(April 7, 2013) — After the tragic death of our beloved president Chavez, the imperialist nations of the world are preparing to attack the Bolivarian Revolution. Venezuela is getting prepared for a new presidential election and the imperialists are intent to intervene and sabotage the election.
President Nicolas Maduro has claimed that elements of the US State Department are hiring mercenaries to attack Venezuela in the days of the presidential election. The United States wants to create chaos in Venezuela to justify a military intervention. Let them know that we are here to denounce them.
The solidarity movement in the United States right now faces a critical challenge with regards to Venezuela as well as the revolutionary process in Latin America. The tragic death of our comrade President Hugo Chavez has many believing that the important process for progress in Venezuela, Latin America and the world, has been dealt a crippling blow but we know that the Venezuelan people and the region will never go backward. And our solidarity will continue as they move forward in their struggles for self-determination, sovereignty, integration and social justice.
The people of Venezuela will honor the last will of President Chavez by overwhelmingly voting this coming April 14 for Nicolas Maduro for President. The Venezuelan people clearly remain committed to the process of fundamental change in their country, no matter what. We are confident that the roots of the Bolivarian Revolution will remain strong and grow.
But the death of our dear President Hugo Chavez will be used by US imperialism and the elite oligarchy in Venezuela to carry out aggressive plans to destabilize the revolutionary process in Venezuela. We must send a strong message to Washington right away: we are organizing our voices of solidarity with the Venezuelan people and demand no intervention during this coming election in Venezuela.
Why April 11? The Venezuelan coup attempt of 2002 was a failed coup d’état on 11 April 2002, that saw late President Hugo Chavez ousted from office for 47 hours, being restored by a combination of military loyalists and massive public support for his government.
Chavez was initially detained by members of the military and of pro-business elites represented by Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce (Fedecámaras) president Pedro Carmona, who was declared as the interim president. Carmona’s brief rule saw the Venezuelan National Assembly and the Supreme Court both dissolved, and the country’s 1999 Constitution declared void.
In New York City, we will gather at Times Square @ 4PM to express our love and solidarity with the legacy of the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and then we will march to the U.S. Mission to tell President Barack Obama: We do not want U.S. intervention in Venezuela.
If you are in a city where no action is taking place, call, fax, email the White House and voice your opposition to intervention. Or better yet, organize a local action!
Please contact us and let us know how your organization can support this national day for the Bolivarian Revolution. cbalbertolovera@gmail.com, 718-510-5523 or 347-251-6301 or 646-533-6081.
Partial list of endorsers: Answer Coalition, Pastor For Peace, IFCO, International Action Center, MAY1 Coalition, International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal and the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition, The Committees of Correspondence for Democracy & Socialism (CCDS), FMLN NYC, Cuba Solidarity NY, National Lawyers Guild International Committee, Occupy Harlem, Haiti Liberte, Peña del Bronx, Alianza Pais (Ecuador), Hands off Venezuela, Existence is Resistance, Sisa Pakari Centro Laboral, Bayan USA, Frente Amplio DR, Latinos Unidos Committee, Alliance for Global Justice, Pro Libertad, Socialist Party USA, Universal Zulu Nation.
Venezuelan elections are one of the freest and fairest elections in the world. However, the US government has refused to desist from subverting Venezuelan democracy.
Two US military attaches were recently expulsed from Venezuela for encouraging an insurrection.
Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson has openly called for a government “transition” in Venezuela and endorsed the election of the opposition candidate.
Venezuealan officials accuse ex-US diplomats Otto Reich and Roger Noriega of conspiring general violence.
MYTH and REALITY
Myth: There is no freedom of press in Venezuela.
Reality: Press freedom is extremely vibrant. The opposition operates the majority of TV broadcasting — 60 percent of audience — and the top four circulated newspapers. The government commands just five percent of the audience [AFB Neilsen Venezuela] and lags behind in newspaper circulation.
Myth: Venezuela has a poor human rights record.
Reality: The Venezuelan Constitution of 1999, which Chavez initited, is one of the most through-going constitutions in the world, articulating a panoply of human rights guarantees.
Myth: Venezuela is a narco-state.
Reality: Most accusations stem from the US State Department, congressional subcommittees, and affiliated think-tanks — i.e., Heritage and AEI — based on anecdotal evidence and “secret sources” akin to those in the Iraq WMDs run-up. In the last six years, Venezuela has averaged 53 tons of drugn seizures per annum, captured 95 high-level traffickers, and is US-ratified a a “Territory Free from Illicit Drug Cultivation.”
Myth: The government is ‘hybrid-authoritarian.’
Reality: [US critics contend] Chavistas don’t know any better — hence the democratic election of a “dictator.” In reality, the Chavista electorate is very politically literate and self-organized. There are many instructive grassroots communal councils, community information networks and party congresses that ensure entirely transparent, democratic and anti-despotic processes.
Myth: Venezuela squanders its oil wealth.
Reality: Critics, such as The Economist and New York Times, admonish oil policies that don’t outline fancies of wealth concentration and trickle-down economics. For them, the following is “squandering”: investing in social programs to reduce massive poverty instead of paying for the infrastructure, tax breaks, and subsidies needed to appease transnationals; investing in regional economic integration instead of relying on the IMF and World Bank; adhering to OPEC production quotas instead of producing more oil “to take advanatage of historic highs in proices.”
Myth: Venezuela’s economy is in shambles.
Reality: From 200-2012, GDP averaged +4.3%, GDP per capita, +2.5%.
Inflation rate from 1981-1998 averaged about 38%; Following the Chavez revolution, inflation has averaged about 24%.
Unemployment was halved between 1999-2012.
Poverty and extreme poverty rates are some of the lowest in the region, excluding benefits like housing, healthcare, education, and food subsidies.
GINI index is the lowest in the region.
