Opinion & Analysis

Venezuela Is Not Occupy: U.S. Congress Got It Wrong

By Roger D. Harris, Mar 11th 2014

vendetta mask protester

With demonstrating students in the streets confronting state security forces, the recent unrest and violence in Venezuela superficially bears a resemblance to the Occupy Movement that began in New York City’s Zuccotti Park on September 2011. But the similarity ends there.

Video: Tariq Ali Remembers Hugo Chavez

By Tariq Ali & Venezuela Solidarity Campaign of Britain, Mar 11th 2014

tariq.ali

The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Britain on February 20, 2014, sponsored the inaugural Hugo Chavez Memorial Lecture in London. The speaker was internationally renowned Marxist author Tariq Ali.

Pray for Venezuela … To Remain a Sovereign Nation

By Lisa Sullivan - Al Jazeera, Mar 10th 2014

An opposition march in Caracas on Sunday (AFP)

Yes, pray for Venezuela. Pray that there will be no more bloodshed. Pray that the people may continue their peaceful political tradition of finding solutions to real problems and differences. Pray that Venezuela may remain a sovereign nation.

Solidarity Organisations Demand Media Accuracy on Venezuela

By Various, Mar 10th 2014

Violent opposition protesters destroy a ticket booth of the Caracas metrobus on Sunday (twitter)

Solidarity organisations have issued various statements demanding media accuracy on the opposition protests and violence being experienced in Venezuela.

Venezuela’s Opposition Is United Against Maduro, But Internally Divided

By Roberto Lovato – Al Jazeera, Mar 7th 2014

An opposition protest in Caracas recently (archive)

History suggests it may be difficult to overthrow a Venezuelan government without support from the country's have-nots.

What is happening in Venezuela?

By Miguel Tinker Salas - CEPR, Mar 7th 2014

Environmental ministry offices in Merida were attacked by a group of armed individuals on 24 February. Five vehicles were damage

Latin American studies professor Miguel Tinker Salas gives a straightforward who, what, where, when and why run-down of the current situation in Venezuela.

A Giant Under the Moon: A Tribute to Hugo Chavez One Year From His Death

By Eva Golinger - Postcards from the Revolution, Mar 7th 2014

Hugo Chavez (VTV)

"A year has passed since the physical parting of Hugo Chavez and it’s still impossible to accept," writes journalist and author Eva Golinger.

Manufacturing Contempt for Venezuela

By Cyril Mychalejko - Upside Down World, Mar 6th 2014

Violent opposition protests last month. (Reuters)

A profile of the Venezuelan opposition’s systematic misinformation campaign and social media’s contribution to it.

US Administration Considering Targeted Sanctions against Members of Venezuelan Government

By Jake Johnston - CEPR, Mar 6th 2014

(Archive)

Members of Congress and the Obama administration have consistently placed the blame for the violence stemming from protests on the Venezuelan government, while overlooking or ignoring violent incidents by opposition protesters, including the decapitation of motorcycle riders, the burning of government buildings and metro stations, attacks against state media companies, and the killing of individuals seeking to dismantle barricades, including a National Guard officer. Officials have referred instead to “systematic” human rights abuses and government repression, without citing evidence.

Venezuela's Opposition Has Played into Nicolás Maduro's Hands

By Julia Buxton - The Guardian, Mar 6th 2014

Maria Corina Machado, a leader of the hardline opposition, speaking to protesters in Caracas last month. (Fernando Llano/AP)

A year after Chávez's death, the opposition – by failing to reach out to the poor – has missed a golden opportunity to weaken his successor.

Violence in Venezuela: The Myths Versus Facts

By Federico Fuentes - Green Left Weekly, Mar 5th 2014

An opposition group in Merida last month. (Ewan Robertson/Venezuelanalysis)

Federico Fuentes, provides answers to common questions about recent events in Venezuela.

The Good Kind of Protesters–And The Bad Kind

By Peter Hart - FAIR, Mar 5th 2014

Good protesters. (ABC)

It's fair to say that the complex anti-government protest movements in both Venezuela and Ukraine were boiled down by US corporate media to send a clear message to their domestic audience: These are the good guys.

Venezuela is not Ukraine

By Mark Weisbrot - The Guardian, Mar 5th 2014

A demonstrator throws an incendiary device during clashes with Venezuelan National Bolivarian Guard (GNB) during a protest again

Venezuela's struggle is widely misrepresented in western media. This is a classic conflict between right and left, rich and poor.

The Washington Post Uses Biased Experts to Promote Propaganda on Venezuela

By Murtaza Hussain - The Intercept, Mar 4th 2014

Demonstrators display a Venezuelan flag during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, March 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

None of this is written necessarily as a defence of the Venezuelan government or a commentary on events in that country, but rather to demonstrate the fundamental incapacity of the mainstream media to cover this story in a way that is not corrupted by corporate and political interests.

Venezuela’s Future

By Michael Albert - Znet, Mar 3rd 2014

(archive)

People are confused about Venezuela, and reasonably so. Why conflicts? Who is protesting? On what scale? What is the government response? What are the deeper issues? Even more, what do the deeper issues and possible responses portend for the future?