Viva Venezuela! Trump Sets Sights on Regime Change

!

vivavenezuela! ● Vol 7 ● Issue 1 ● Autumn/Winter 2017

Trump Sets His Sights on Regime Change in Venezuela Also inside:

● Right-Wing Opposition Violence in Venezuela ● Elections in Venezuela With thanks to www.venezuelasolidarity.co.uk e: info@venezuelasolidarity.co.uk

...EDITORIAL...EDITORIAL...EDITORIAL...EDITORIAL...EDITORIAL...EDITORIAL...

Peace & dialogue – not US sanctions – are the way forward for Venezuela President Trump shocked Latin America and the world in August when he refused to rule out military action against Venezuela (see pages 4-5), with even right-wing governments in the region hostile to Venezuela’s government denouncing the suggestion.

et only weeks after the backlash against these comments, the US administration introduced far-reaching sanctions against Venezuela, with the aim of cutting off financing to the country.

Y

World renowned US economist Mark Weisbrot has argued that “by starving the economy of foreign exchange, this action will harm the private sector, most Venezuelans, the poor and the vulnerable,” even though “the Trump team pretends that the sanctions are only directed at the government ”.

Trump’s sanctions are also illegal under U.S. and international law, violating the charter of the Organization of American States and other international treaties the U.S. has signed. To comply with U.S. law, the president must also claim – irrationally – that Americans are suffering from a “national emergency” due to an “unusual and extraordinary threat to national security” posed by Venezuela.

It is clear that the real aim of the sanctions is to try to advance a ‘regime change’ agenda.

The history of US interventions in Latin America, and the experience of the short-lived unsuccessful coup in Venezuela in 2002, suggests that such a ‘regime change’ in Venezuela would not herald a new era of progress. Rather, it would usher in a return to savage neo-liberalism, most likely

accompanied by the severe repression of Chavista political and social movements.

Polling shows that a majority of Venezuelans – including supporters of both the government and the right-wing opposition – are against such sanctions.

These sanctions will not help the Venezuelan people, nor facilitate dialogue, but will exacerbate the country’s difficulties.

Yet it is becoming clearer by the day that Venezuela’s current difficulties are best resolved by dialogue as a way to peacefully address the problems the nation faces.

The means for a regional dialogue under the auspices of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) exist, with the participation of the former Presidents of numerous countries.

The Venezuelan government and much of civil society have continually indicated a willingness to take part in such talks.

The strong turnout for the recent regional elections in October (see page 3) augurs well for dialogue and a return to normalcy in Venezuela.

Governments internationally, including Britain and the EU, should do all they can to facilitate and support a dialogue process, constructively engaging with Venezuela, and respecting the democratic decisions of the Venezuelan people.

Venezuelan anti-Trump protestor

This magazine is published by the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign Contributors to this issue were: ● Francisco Dominguez ● Sue Grey ● Patrick Foley and ● Tim Young

VSC would like to thank Telesur English and Venezuelanalsyis.com for their reporting of Venezuela, which is referred to throughout this publication.

2

Unite the Union GPM London Print Branch Celebrate Venezuela - Unity is Strength Mick Cotter, Branch Chair Tommy Murphy, Branch Secretary

AUTUMN/WINTER 2017 ● VIVA VENEZUELA!

...VENEZUELA IN THE NEWS...VENEZUELA IN THE NEWS...VENEZUELA IN THE NEWS...

Venezuela Votes The regional elections that took place in Venezuela in October produced an impressive turnout and a victory for the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), which won 18 out of the 23 governorships. The PSUV secured 54% of the vote, some 5.6 million votes. urnout was up at 61%, compared to 54% five years ago. The right-wing opposition lost all three governorships it had won in the last regional elections in 2012 (Miranda, Amazonas and Lara states) while winning five others (Anzoátegui, Mérida, Nueva Esparta, Táchira and Zulia), meaning in total it gained two governorships.

T

As is usual when the opposition loses an election, elements of the right-wing opposition have again made claims of electoral fraud. But a report on the 2017 regional elections produced by a mission organised by the Council of Electoral Experts of Latin America (CEELA) explains in detail how, in its words, “the Venezuelan electoral system is 100% reliable, making it, among other things, one of the strongest worldwide”.

Before the election, eleven audits of various aspects of the electoral arrangements were conducted with participation by twenty political parties’ representatives, including the PSUV and opposition parties, and international observers.

The audits were also broadcast live.

After the election, two further audits of voting data were carried out. From its observations

‘Operation Miracle’ Restores Eyesight of 688,000 Bolivians

and monitoring, the mission concluded that “the electoral process was successfully conducted and [that] the citizens’ will, freely expressed at the polls, has been respected”.

Far from being a “dictatorship” as Trump and his supporters in parts of the international claim, Venezuela will be holding mayoral elections for 335 municipalities on December 10, with the Presidential election scheduled for 2018, when President Maduro’s term of office expires.

Government on track to deliver 2 million new homes espite the pressure of low oil prices on Venezuela’s economy for much of 2017, the government is still delivering new and renovated housing for Venezuelan families.

D

The target for the programme this year is to build 540,126 new homes to complete delivery of 2 million homes since the programme began. By mid-August, 352,303 homes had been completed, just over 65% of the goal.

In addition, 4,055 homes in different parts of the country have been recently renovated in a complementary programme aimed at restoring housing, infrastructure and services in poorer neighbourhoods.

AUTUMN/WINTER 2017 ● VIVA VENEZUELA!

3

peration Miracle, the free CubanVenezuelan eyecare programme, has restored the sight of some 688,000 Bolivians. Cuba’s Fidel Castro and Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez, launched the programme in 2004.

O

In the first year it treated only Venezuelan patients, but in 2005 it was extended to other Caribbean, Central and South American countries.

In Bolivia, the programme guarantees free treatment from initial consultation through to surgery. It has conducted nearly three million diagnostic consultations.

Most of the surgeries have treated people with pterygium, a disease where eye tissue grows due to exposure to wind and sun, a common problem in Bolivia. Operations have also been successfully performed on cataracts.

...US INTERVENTION IN VENEZUELA...US INTERVENTION IN VENEZUELA...

Trump steps u intervention in Latin America The possibility of military intervention against Venezuela is looming large, following a threat made by President Trump in early August. Answering questions from reporters, he said: “We have many options for Venezuela including a possible military option if necessary.” rump also used his maiden speech to the United Nations to attack Venezuela, promising that he was “prepared to take further action” against Venezuela on top of the “tough calibrated sanctions” already imposed.

T

In response, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza in his address to the UN condemned US threats against his government — including recent economic sanctions — as a violation of international law and the UN Charter.

The threat of military intervention has also been widely condemned by countries across Latin America.

Trump’s threat follows a raft of sanctions applied against Venezuela and various government members. Further economic pressure has since been applied by the Trump administration, restricting Venezuela’s financial dealings with US institutions. This is likely to make matters worse in a country already struggling to deal with the global collapse in oil prices.

These aggressive acts by the US are justified by an US Executive Order that deems the situation in Venezuela as “a national emergency with respect to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.”

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has also made clear his wish for ‘regime change’, with the CIA’s chief Mike Pompeo admitting that it is working in this direction.

Venezuela has been squarely in the front line of US reaction against social progress since Chávez’s election as President in 1998. There has been a persistent line of undemocratic attempts to topple elected Presidents in the country, dating back to the failed coup in 2002 which tried to unseat President Hugo Chávez.

Sometimes driving but always supporting these efforts, US interference in Venezuela has taken many forms, including not only political pressure, sanctions and propaganda, but also funding of right-wing opposition activity

4

AUTUMN/WINTER 2017 ● VIVA VENEZUELA!

...US INTERVENTION IN VENEZUELA...US INTERVENTION IN VENEZUELA...

up n a through organisations such as the National Endowment for Democracy.

In 2016 alone more than $1.6 million (£1.2m) was channelled to opposition groups for dozens of projects thinly disguised as efforts to promote political awareness or participation.

Additionally, encouraged and funded by the US, right-wing forces have waged an economic campaign against the Venezuelan government reminiscent of Chile’s destabilisation in the 1970s.

As oil prices have tumbled, this ‘economic war’ has attacked the poorest in society through artificially created shortages, price speculation and black marketeering in basic necessities.

The resulting hardship is blamed on the government.

As this publication goes to press. Trump has now announced yet more sanctions aimed at forcing regime change in Venezuela progressives internationally must oppose any external intervention threatening both Venezuela’s national sovereignty and the social and political gains made since 1998.

Recent examples of US destabilisation of progressive governments In Honduras, a military coup in 2009 ousted democratically elected President Zelaya, who had been pursuing a range of progressive policies. President Obama refused to label the political crisis a military coup, and several US officials – notably then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – played an important role in enabling the junta to consolidate its position.

Three years later, Paraguay’s progressive President Lugo was removed from office in a parliamentary coup by the Paraguayan Senate. No direct evidence exists that the US orchestrated Lugo’s removal, but the Obama administration similarly failed to back the ousted President’s reinstatement.

In 2016, the US’s tacit support for the perpetrators of the parliamentary coup in Brazil removing President Dilma Rousseff through impeachment provided cover for the deed. The resulting neoliberal counter-

AUTUMN/WINTER 2017 ● VIVA VENEZUELA!

5

reforms of Michel Temer have slashed social programmes, while creating a highly repressive and undemocratic political environment.

Nicaragua is also again under US attack. In October, the House of Representatives unanimously approved the Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act of 2017 (the NICA Act) which aims to starve Nicaragua of investment.

If approved by the Senate and then by Trump, the US will use its influence in international lending institutions to block all loans to Nicaragua. Worth US$250 million annually, these are invested in education, social programmes, electrification, roads and other infrastructure initiatives.

...THE RIGHT WING’S RECORD...THE RIGHT WING’S RECORD...

The anti-democratic record of Venezuela’s right wing Venezuela’s right-wing The governments of Hugo Chávez and Nicolas opposition groups claim to Maduro introduced reforms to tackle poverty inequality and ensure that Venezuela’s care about democracy, but and resources are used to benefit the majority nothing could be further from instead of the wealthy elite. These progressive the truth. Since Hugo Chávez policies were resented by the old elite who was first elected in 1998, almost immediately began their undemocratic different elements have used attacks on the government.

Here are just five examples. every method imaginable to undermine and destabilise the elected government. 1. Coup d’état

right wing demonstrators marched on the Presidential Palace demanding the resignation of President Chávez.

In 2002 a combination of right-wing political forces, industrialists, and conservative military officers, supported by the US, conspired to overthrow the government. After calling for protests against the reforms in the oil industry,

2. Management lock-out of the oil industry

The leaders of the coup refused to negotiate and arrested Chávez, falsely claiming that he had resigned. As crowds demonstrated in support of Chávez, word reached the generals in the President’s Guard that no resignation had taken place. Chávez was immediately released and democracy restored.

In 2002 and 2003, a right-wing management lock-out in the oil industry (PDVSA) caused

“ North West Unison declares our continuing Solidarity with President Maduro and the Venezuelan People in their on-going struggle. Venezuela is a priority in our international work and we are proud to maintain our links with the Party of Progress and the Bolivarian Revolution ” David Owen, Chair of our International Committee

6

AUTUMN/WINTER 2017 ● VIVA VENEZUELA!

...THE RIGHT WING’S RECORD...THE RIGHT WING’S RECORD... billions of dollars of lost revenue and catastrophic effects on social projects.

Shortages of gasoline for transportation led to shortages of essential goods.

workers loyal to the government managing to restart production.

The lock-out was aided and abetted by USlinked IT staff within PDVSA who sabotaged computer systems and destroyed essential databases. The aim was to create enough chaos and hardship to force Chávez to resign, but the lock-out ended after 63 days, with

After Nicolas Maduro’s victory in the 2013 presidential elections, losing candidate Henrique Capriles rejected the results and called his supporters onto the streets to “vent their anger." Thousands of right-wing protesters took to the streets and attacked the homes of prominent politicians and the head of the electoral council.

3. Rejection of election results

Health clinics and other public services were also attacked. Capriles’ supporters lit fires in the streets and marched through Caracas demanding a recount. Eleven government supporters died in the violence.

The Electoral Council organised a full audit of the vote, which confirmed Maduro’s victory.

4. Violence aimed at ousting the government In 2014 right wing politician Leopoldo Lopez incited the ‘La Salida’ campaign, leading to a wave of violence aimed at ‘ousting’ the elected government. Barricades, or ‘guarimbas’, were

AUTUMN/WINTER 2017 ● VIVA VENEZUELA!

7

constructed with burning tyres and rubbish, blocking the roads and preventing workers and supplies from reaching their destinations.

Government supporters were attacked and motor cyclists were killed by barbed wire stretched across the roads. Universities, health clinics and bus stations were violently attacked.

The death toll reached 43 before the wave of violence subsided.

5. Further street violence Extreme elements of the opposition continued their campaign of violence in 2017, including an arson attack on a commune for low-income citizens, mortally wounding a child, and another on a medical unit for mothers and babies. Other deaths have occurred in street violence, road blocks, fire-setting and attacks on police officers.

President Maduro initiated the election of a Constituent Assembly to review state structures, in accordance with the Venezuelan Constitution, but the right wing opposition boycotted the elections, with elements still hoping that street violence can force the government out before the end of its constitutional term.

!

vivavenezuela!

#StopTrump YOUR support needed!

In response to Trump’s threats against Venezuela, VSC has launched a special appeal to raise £10,000 to expand our work and run a new campaign against US sanctions – we have already raised £8,000.

If 100 more donations of only £20 are made we will reach our target – please donate today at www.venezuelasolidarity.co.uk/donate or by cheque to ‘Venezuela Solidarity Campaign,’ c/o Unite London and Eastern Region, 33-37 Moreland Street, London, EC1V 8BB.

Join the VSC ● If you join VSC online at: www.venezuelasolidarity.co.uk for only £18 you receive a free DVD of The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. You can also join by cheque for £18 (£9 unwaged) to Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, c/o Unite, 33-37 Moreland Street, London, EC1V 8BB.

"Solidarity with Venezuela has always been an important task - it's necessary because of US attempts to topple the regime. They have done so & failed in the past - they are attempting to do so again. It's extremely important for the struggle in Venezuela that people in Britain keep solidarity going." Tariq Ali.

North East Yorkshire & Humberside Region

send a message of solidarity in support of our colleagues in Venezuela

Unite the Union North East Yorkshire & Humberside Region Dick Banks Regional Chair

Karen Reay Regional Secretary