Venezuela: left perspectives from below

By Eva María Photo: Federico Parra Note: The following interview with venezuelan activist and and editor at Venezuelanvoices.org, Simón Rodríguez, was livestreamed by Venezuelan Workers Solidarity in July, and afterwards transcribed, edited and published by Tempest. We present for our readers an abbreviated version. Eva María: The first question is one on most people’s minds … Continue reading Venezuela: left perspectives from below

Venezuela and the U.S. Left at a Crossroads

By Andy Heintz Originally published by NACLA When the subject of Venezuela is brought up, there are often two distinct narratives. In the right-wing and much of the mainstream media, Venezuela is often depicted as a once vibrant, thriving democracy that has been ruined by socialism. Meanwhile, in certain left-wing circles, the country’s many troubles are … Continue reading Venezuela and the U.S. Left at a Crossroads

Bolivarian National Intelligence Service arbitrarily detains chavista activist in Mérida

By Venezuelanvoices.org Picture: El Helicoide in Caracas, EFE University professor and chavista activist Aidaliz Guarisma was arbitrarily detained on August 10 in the andean city of Mérida by the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). The officers arrived at her house in plain clothes, in a vehicle without license plates, and without a warrant took her … Continue reading Bolivarian National Intelligence Service arbitrarily detains chavista activist in Mérida

Open letter in defense of Lusbi Portillo

Picture: Lusbi Portillo accompanying yukpa leaders Sabino Romero and Alexander Fernandez, a decade ago, after they were freed from political imprisonment. In subsecuent years Romero and Fernandez were killed. Professor Lusbi Portillo is an academic committed to the Indigenous Peoples and the Defense of the Environment in the State of Zulia. The governor of Zulia … Continue reading Open letter in defense of Lusbi Portillo

About the Venezuelan left opposition

An answer to Clifton Ross' article The leftist backlash against the Democratic Socialists' fun trip to Venezuela Image: Laclase.info, 2010 workers and left opposition protest in Maracay By Venezuelan Workers Solidarity The trip by members of the DSA International Committee (DSA-IC) to Venezuela in June stirred up important controversy. Prior to the trip itself, Venezuelan … Continue reading About the Venezuelan left opposition

Violence-plagued primaries in the PSUV

By Venezuelanvoices On Sunday, August 8, PSUV held its primaries to elect the candidates for the November regional elections. Although the primaries were open, meaning that more than 21.7 million people in the electoral registry could vote, only 3.5 million people did, according to official figures provided by first vicepresident of the party Diosdado Cabello. … Continue reading Violence-plagued primaries in the PSUV

Rapprochement between the government and business association Fedecamaras?

By Venezuelanvoices On July 20, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was the main speaker at the opening of the annual assembly of Fedecamaras, the main bosses organization in Venezuela. Rodriguez's speech had some bizarre moments, such as when she assured that "the businessmen of the world look with envy at those of Venezuela". During the Fedecamaras … Continue reading Rapprochement between the government and business association Fedecamaras?

To DSA and the US socialist left: To be in solidarity with the Venezuelan people, there’s no need to support the Maduro government

By Orlando Chirino (Partido Socialismo y Libertad) Originally published in Laclase.info. Picture: Aporrea.org A delegation from Democratic Socialists of America visited Venezuela to attend the Bicentennial Congress of the Peoples, organized by the Venezuelan government. It met with Nicolas Maduro himself, publicly expressing support for the Venezuelan government and what they consider to be an … Continue reading To DSA and the US socialist left: To be in solidarity with the Venezuelan people, there’s no need to support the Maduro government

Open letter by Rodney Alvarez in rejection of his conviction

Image: Campaign for the liberation of Rodney Alvarez Greetings to comrades, brothers and friends. God bless Venezuela. Comrades, as you well know, this is a framing, corrupt, starving, anti-worker and vile government. This anti-worker government has taken me, Rodney Alvarez, as a scapegoat, to cover up its hit man, its criminal. I, Rodney Alvarez, have … Continue reading Open letter by Rodney Alvarez in rejection of his conviction

Maduro’s dictatorship sentences political prisoner Rodney Álvarez to 15 years

Photo credit: Punto de Corte Venezuelan Voices On Tuesday, June 8, after ten years of judicial farce during which the process was restarted ten times and the judge was changed three times, the political prisoner Rodney Álvarez was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Judge Pablo Vicentelli and the prosecutor Regino Cova participated in the … Continue reading Maduro’s dictatorship sentences political prisoner Rodney Álvarez to 15 years