Under My Presidency, Chavez's Revolution will Continue

[Catherina]

Under my presidency, Chávez's revolution will continue

Venezuela has lost an extraordinary leader, but his democratic and socialist project of transformation is more alive than ever

Nicolás Maduro
guardian.co.uk, Friday 12 April 2013

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Chávez's legacy is so profound that opposition leaders, who vilified him only months ago, now insist they will defend his achievements. But Venezuelans remember how many of these same figures supported an ill-fated coup against Chávez in 2002 and sought to reverse policies that have dramatically reduced poverty and inequality.

To grasp the scale of what has been achieved, it's necessary to recall the state of my country when Chávez took office in 1999. In the previous 20 years Venezuela had suffered one of the sharpest economic declines in the world. As a result of neoliberal policies that favoured transnational capital at the expense of people's basic needs, poverty soared. A draconian market-oriented agenda was imposed through massive repression, including the 1989 massacre of thousands in what is known as the Caracazo.

This disastrous trend was reversed under Chávez. Once the government was able to assert effective control over the state oil company in 2003, we began investing oil revenue in social programmes that now provide free healthcare and education throughout the country. The economic situation vastly improved. Poverty and extreme poverty have been reduced dramatically. Today Venezuela has the lowest rate of income inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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The media myth that our political project would fall apart without Chávez was a fundamental misreading of Venezuela's revolution. Chávez has left a solid edifice, its foundation a broad, united movement that supports the process of transformation. We've lost our extraordinary leader, but his project – built collectively by workers, farmers, women, indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, and the young – is more alive than ever.

The media often portray Venezuela as on the brink of economic collapse – but our economy is stronger than ever. We have a low debt burden and a significant trade surplus, and have accumulated close to $30bn in international reserves.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/apr/12/my-presidency-chavez-revolution-continue
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[Zorro]

1. Things sound great in Venezuela!

No need to change direction, then.

[ocpagu]

2. Very nice article by Maduro! Thanks.

He seems very objective and intelligent in his writing. And presented a very good summarization. I found the last paragraph quite enlightening.

"Latin America today is experiencing a profound political and social renaissance – a second independence – after decades of surrendering its sovereignty and freedom to global powers and transnational interests. Under my presidency, Venezuela will continue supporting this regional transformation and building a new form of socialism for our times. With the support of progressive people from every continent, we're confident Venezuela can give a new impetus to the struggle for a more equitable, just and peaceful world."

This is so, so much bigger than Venezuela. Yet, we find some "progressives" trying not only to downplay the importante of the movement, but denying its legitimacy (of course, in a very misguided manner, fequently quibbling about trivia) and trying to convince people that supporting a right-wing candidate, from a right-wing party with international connections with other right-wings parties is being leftist... LOL.

No wonder they'll lose.

[Judi Lynn]

3. No wonder the opposition makes so much noise: to create distraction.

The most powerful weapon against their re-assuming power is the simple long hard look at the facts. That's why they have to shriek, scream, wave their limp arms in the air and howl out their claims, charges. accusations: can't have anyone free to take a long, hard look at the truth too long.

Just looking at the headlines we've seen as this campaign winds down is hilarious. It's as plain as the nose on everyone's face they are damned desperate, and will do absolutely anything to draw attention to themselves.

Simple statements work so well, as in the people who despised Chavez, rage against his programs, took part in the coup are suddenly promising they will promise not to harm the missions, etc. Oh, really? Is that true? WILL they protect the progress? Of course, not.

The moment the oligarchs get control again, the people can kiss their asses goodbye, until divine intervention sets the world right, again.

Short, sweet, perfect statement. He hit everything which needs to be said. Viva, Madura, and may fate protect him from those we all know would do anything to get rid of him, with no exceptions. Life has no value for these creeps. They of course would not draw the line at murder. We all know that. Let's ask the country's great prosecutor, Danilo Anderson, who was going to investigate the coup plotters. Oh, wait, they murdered him with a car bomb.