Analysis: Bolivarian Project

Venezuela: The Future of ‘21st Century Socialism’ After the Poll

By Federico Fuentes - Green Left Weekly, Oct 29th 2012

(Green Left Weekly)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s re-election on October 7 with more than 55% of the vote was vital for two reasons. Here, Federico Fuentes, explains why, and outlines the challenges facing Venezuela's project for 21st century socialism over the next 6 years.

Is Venezuela a "One off"?

By Richard Seymour & Stuart Munckton, Oct 15th 2012

Afro-descendent youths from the Venezuelan cultural movement "Cause" (Cause)

Here Venezuelanalysis brings you an exchange between Richard Seymour and Stuart Munckton on the significance of the Venezuelan process and perceptions of it in leftist circles in the West.

Venezuela Reelects Hugo Chavez. What’s Next?

By Steve Ellner - In These Times, Oct 12th 2012

Chavez celebrates his victory last Sunday (archives)

To judge by his previous victories, Chávez’ win will be quickly followed by a new wave of reforms.

The Chávez Victory will be Felt Far beyond Latin America

By Seamus Milne - The Guardian, Oct 11th 2012

(The Guardian)

The transformation of Latin America is one of the decisive changes reshaping the global order. The tide of progressive change that has swept the region over the last decade has brought a string of elected socialist and social-democratic governments to office that have redistributed wealth and power, rejected western neoliberal orthodoxy, and challenged imperial domination.

Venezuela’s Presidential Elections: An Imperfect-Victory

By Tamara Pearson – Venezuelanalysis.com, Oct 8th 2012

People celebrating the victory outside the Miraflores Palace (Tamara Pearson / Venezuelanalysis.com)

Venezuelanalysis.com examines the causes and consequences of yesterday's election results.

Capriles Radonski with the Mask Off: Imperialist Ties & Cold Calls

By Rachael Boothroyd - Correo del Orinoco International , Oct 5th 2012

Henrique Capriles Radonski (ultimasnoticias.com.ve)

With the elections just a few days away, and a leaked document confirming what activists on the ground already knew; that the Roundtable of Democratic Unity (MUD) intends to saddle Venezuela with a neo-liberal economic program worthy of Angela Merkel's highest seal of approval; any pretensions that Capriles may have had to a “center-left” program have been well and truly disposed of.

Venezuela: Chavez Campaign Points to Gains of Revolution, Youth Mobilise for Socialism

By Jim McIlroy & Coral Wynter in Caracas / Green Left Weekly, Sep 24th 2012

Members of the youth wing of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela at a mass rally with Hugo Chavez in the Poliedro Stadium on

As the final weeks of the Venezuelan presidential election campaign unfold, an intense battle of ideas is under way. The poll on October 7 is looming as one of the most important elections in the country´s history.

Venezuela: The Class Struggle and the Electoral Campaign Facing the 7 October Presidential Elections

By Lucha de Clases, Sep 17th 2012

(elperiodicocodelara)

Lucha de Clases (Class Struggle), a Marxist current within the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), analyses the political situation in Venezuela ahead of the 7 October presidential elections, and argues what actions the PSUV and the government should take to support the grassroots struggle and the transition to socialism.

The Chavez Election

By Steve Ellner - El Monde Diplomatique, Sep 10th 2012

Chavez at a campaign rally in Charallave, Miranda state, Sunday 9 September (EFE)

Steve Ellner examines the political dynamics of the Venezuelan presidential election, as well as the national and international importance of the result on 7 October.

Water and Sanitation Socialism in Caracas: Interview with Victor Díaz

By Rebecca McMillan, Susan Spronk - Upside Down World, Aug 28th 2012

Victor Diaz (Rebecca McMillan and Susan Spronk)

The mesas técnicas del agua (Technical Water Forum, MTAs) are a unique experiment in radical urban planning, whereby beneficiary communities map their own water and sanitation needs and help to plan infrastructure development, which is financed by the state.

“Open Horizons”: An Interview with Roland Dennis

By Susan Spronk and Jeffery R. Webber - The Bullet, Aug 25th 2012

Susan Spronk and Roland Denis. (Spronk & Webber)

Roland Denis is a leading intellectual and revolutionary in Venezuela. He served as Vice Minister of Planning in the Hugo Chávez government in 2002-03, but resigned after ten months in protest of the lack of grassroots involvement in the planning process. He is the author of many books and articles. We caught up with Denis at the Terrar Park, a popular restaurant frequented by left militants in Caracas.

“Chavez is Not Just a Political Leader; He is Also a Revolutionary Who Has Defended the Oppressed”

By Lucía Berbeo - Rebelión , Aug 23rd 2012

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (psuv.org)

In order to understand Venezuela´s political panorama, for example the presidential elections this coming October 7 and the recent declarations of Colombian ex-president, Alvaro Uribe, against the country, we interviewed the editor of Chaos in Spain´s Network, Catalan sociologist and graduate in Latin American studies, Anibal Garzon Baeza.

Chavez Set for Win as Campaign Pushes Socialist Transformation

By Owen Richards - Green Left Weekly , Aug 20th 2012

Chavez in a campaign rally in San Felix, eastern Venezuela, on Saturday 18 August (Comando Carabobo)

“It would be easier for 100 camels to pass through the eye of a needle than for [the capitalist class] to win the election”, said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaking at the Caracas Municipal Theatre on August 15.

The Revolution Will Not Be Decreed: An interview with Gonzalo Gómez

By Gonzalo Gomez, Jeffery Webber and Susan Spronk, Aug 19th 2012

Gonzalo Gómez and Jeffery R. Webber (socialistproject)

In this interview, Gonzalo describes his own path to militancy, the different phases of the Bolivarian process, and the dangers of bureaucracy, the “boli-bourgeoisie,” and the stultifying internal life of the Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela (United Socialist Party of Venezuela, PSUV).

“This Process Belongs to the People”: An interview with Juan Contreras

By Susan Spronk, Jeffery R. Webber - The Bullet, Aug 15th 2012

Jeffery R. Webber and Juan Contreras (The Bullet)

In this interview Juan Contreras, a militant in the Bolivarian revolution, discusses the evolution of the revolution, grassroots organisation, the upcoming presidential elections, and the relationship between the grassroots and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV)