Analysis: Indigenous and Afro-Venezuelans

How Chavez Changed Life in the Tribal Territories

By Maurice Lemoine - Le Monde Diplomatique, Jul 3rd 2007

Venezuela used to regard its indigenous people contemptuously, but President Hugo Chávez set up a constitution that respects their wishes and their ownership of land. He promised, and has delivered, some improvements in their daily lives and prospects, but the changes are still slow and hesitant.

Venezuelan Leader Wins Praise For Efforts To Help His Nation's Minorities

By Tal Abbady - South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Apr 9th 2007

The Bush administration depicts Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as a leftist troublemaker who wants to follow in Fidel Castro's footsteps. But some black Americans support the Venezuelan leader, first elected in 1998, for his populist efforts to help his nation's minorities.

Black Venezuelans and Black Americans Have Much to Learn from Each Other – and Should

By Gregory Kane - BlackAmericaWeb.com, Feb 15th 2007

Afro-Venezuelan history and culture are now not only honored in Venezuela, thanks to Chavez, but Afro-Americans now have an opportunity to learn about that history and culture. Members of Eleggua are eager to learn ours.

"If We Have to Die For Our Lands, We Will Die"

By Nikolas Kozloff - CounterPunch, Feb 9th 2007

On the one hand, Chavez needs political support from indigenous peoples. But he also seeks important hemispheric integration, which could jeopardize this support.

Is There a "Black Vote" in Venezuela?

By Vinod Sreeharsha - Slate, Dec 4th 2006

Sunday's election is about much more than the white elite versus the dark-skinned masses.

Venezuela’s San Juan Festival: The Drums of Curiepe Ring On

By Michael Fox – Venezuelanalysis.com, Jun 29th 2006

After almost three centuries, and a constant struggle for tradition and freedom, the drums continue to ring on for one of Venezuela’s most important Afro-Venezuelan celebrations.

North American Indigenous Delegation Examines Venezuelan Health Care

By Brenda Norrell - Indian Country Today, Mar 7th 2006

An indigenous delegation to Venezuela, inspired by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's new indigenous health care initiatives, met with Amazonia's indigenous governor and began discussions for new models of village health care in the jungle.

Chavez Saves "The Fierce People" - The Yanomamö

By Les Blough - Axis of Logic, Feb 16th 2006

In addition to their "contribution" of "civilized" clothing to the Yanomamö culture, the missionaries brought with them a number of other less benign gifts: disease, guns, tourism and a systematic eradication of their way of life. The overall effects of the missionaries' attempt to convert these people from their way of life and view of the world to their own brand of christianity is a modern tragedy.

Hugo Chávez and the Politics of Race

By Nikolas Kozloff - CounterPunch, Oct 15th 2005

While Chávez's strategy of appealing to racial minorities in the U.S. is certainly bold, it is hardly surprising given his and Venezuela's history. Chávez support for Venezuela's indigenous and afro-Venezuelan population has inspired not only oppressed minorities within his own country but also blacks living outside Venezuela.

Address to Venezuela’s National Assembly in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King

By Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr., Aug 29th 2005

Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke before Venezuela's National Assembly during a special session to honor Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a dream speech".

Amazonas, Venezuela's Forgotten State, Part II

By Jeroen Kuiper – Venezuelanalysis.com, Aug 22nd 2005

The state of Amazonas in the south of Venezuela is the most unexplored region of the country. Travelling the rivers in Amazonas still has the character of an expedition. This is the second of two parts of Amazonas stories, about a unique water channel, the famous Yanomami people and modern-day politics.

Amazonas: Venezuela’s Forgotten State, part I

By Jeroen Kuiper - Venezuelanalysis.com, Aug 6th 2005

The state of Amazonas in Venezuela’s south is the most unexplored region of the country. Traveling the rivers in Amazonas still has the character of an expedition. This is the first of two parts of Amazonas stories, about a dozen ethnic groups, the influence of Plan Colombia, the role of missionaries and illegal mining.

Venezuela: Knocking over Dominos in Latin America

By Sarah Wagner — Venezuelanalysis.com, May 26th 2005

Recent demands by the people of Bolivia for their government to "take the same path as Venezuela" revelas the powerful resonance of the "Bolivarian revolution" throuhout Latin America. As Venezuela depeens this process of social, economic, and political transformation it is increasingly unlikely that the people of Latin America will tolerate their unresponsive governments. It is equally unlikely that the Cold War mentality of Washington will tolerate the threat of a good example.

Teaching Race in Venezuela

By Abigail Elwood – Venezuelanalysis.com, May 13th 2005

If Venezuela is to present a positive example to the world, it must acknowledge the existence of racism in Venezuela and bring the State and communities together in the classroom to start teaching an anti-racist curriculum, said participants at a recent conference on race in Venezuela.

Venezuelan Women International Women Share Experiences at Solidarity Conference

By Sarah Wagner – Venezuelanalysis.com, Apr 17th 2005

Women from all over the world met in Caracas to exchange their countries’ experiences and ideas in the fight for gender equality. They affirmed that without peace and solidarity it is impossible to construct a new world in which men and women are truly equal.