Australian
Community Declaration of Solidarity with the Venezuelan People
This declaration was initiated by the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity
Network. The founding signatories include: Australian Solidarity with
Latin America, Chilean Popular and Indigenous Network, Colombia Demand
Justice Campaign, Australia Latin America Cultural and Indigenous
Association, Miguel Enriquez 30 Years Commemoration
Collective-Melbourne Australia, Committees in Solidarity with Latin
America and the Caribbean, and Resistance.
***
On August 15 this year, the Venezuelan people defeated conservative
forces, supported by the
President Chavez. The victory of the NO vote in the recall referendum
was a victory not only for Venezuelan people but for working people
worldwide.
Few governments have the popular support enjoyed by President Chavez.
Since his 1998 election, Chavez and his supporters have won eight
electoral contests. This is an indication of the widespread and
fundamental social transformation underway in
While every other South American government has persisted with
neoliberal policies - deepening social inequality, eroding democracy
and stealing national sovereignty - the Chavez government has done the
opposite. At the heart of this process is the increasing role played
by workers, peasants and the poor in re-establishing control over
their communities and for the first time in their national history,
beginning to have a say in the governing of the nation.
The Bolivarian Constitution, adopted in 1999 after a widespread
consultation process, was a major turning point in enabling this
popular empowerment and organization. The final constitution included
more than 50% of the 624 proposals brought to the table by individuals
and community organisations. The new constitution provided avenues for
active political participation by the entire Venezuelan population.
The Constitution not only guaranteed previously trampled rights but
also initiated a process of redefining the Venezuelan state and not as a
protector of the wealthy and their property but as a defender of the
poor and workers.
A process of fundamental social transformation is underway in
forces have mobilized behind a new vision for Venezuelan society. This
process has deepened since the April 2002 coup, organized by a group
of high ranking military officers, the employer associations, the
corrupt Confederacion de Trabajadores de Venezuela CTV and sponsored
by the United States. Within 48 hours of the illegal suspension of the
country's constitution and parliament, a massive uprising by
officers, defeated the coup.
Since this popular insurrection, Chavez's government has shifted
toward an increasing reliance on the self-organisation of
working people and the ranks of the armed forces. The government
sacked the pro-capitalist officers in the army and moved to boost the
development of popular organisations such as land councils and the
community-based Bolivarian Circles. There are now some 2.2 million
people formally registered as Circle members. The Circles are now
organising themselves into Bolivarian Houses (Casas Bolivarianas).
This new structure aims to unify the efforts of the Circles with those
of other community associations, and begin to develop real democratic
input into social reforms at the local, regional and national level.
Such reforms are already well underway.
program, BarRio Adentro and its literacy program Mission Robinson, are
both extending health and education to thousands of previously
forgotten communities. According to United Nations standards,
illiteracy has been eradicated. Likewise with the government's land
and housing reforms. In its first two years the Chavez government
constructed more houses than in the previous 20 years, and secured the
provision of fresh water to 3 million people for the first time ever.
The Venezuelan government has also sought to counterpose the
Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America ALBA to American free trade
agreements and putting forward principles of economic assistance
premised on reversing the flow of profits out of the poor economies of
the South.
In an era where imperialism appears omnipotent, systematically
crushing popular rebellions, the Venezuelan people have shown it is
possible to resist and to win. This is an inspiration that deserves
our every support and solidarity.
We the undersigned:
*
Demand that the Australian government condemn the U.S governments
funding and political support for the opposition in
* Call upon all those struggling for a just and humane world to show
their support for the Bolivarian Revolution in
* Support the organization of solidarity activities here in
and will do whatever we can to assist and participate in these.