Maduro Calls for Radicalizing Bolivarian Revolution, Voices Solidarity with Ecuadorian and Brazilian Leaders

Caracas, August 17, 2015 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro issued calls for “a more radical revolution” on Saturday, announcing expanded funding for the country’s growing commune movement. 

“We have to prepare ourselves for a more radical revolution,” he stated during an official ceremony. 

“The historical moment will arrive in which we have to up the game of this socialist revolution… [in its] struggle for independence, dignity, and for the people.” 

During a meeting with the Presidential Council of the Communes Government, Maduro indicated that he had approved $500 million Bolivares in funding for communal enterprises, which are small to medium scale companies owned and operated by networks of communal councils organized as communes. 

The President additionally noted that his government had successfully turned over to communal enterprises 350 of a total of 400 trucks pledged as part of an effort to strengthen the country’s distribution network, which is largely controlled by private firms, many of whom have been accused by officials of waging an “economic war” against the Revolution. 

The move comes in the midst of an economic crisis triggered by collapsing oil prices that has seen popular sectors hard hit by spiraling inflation and shortages arising from hoarding and contraband. Nonetheless, the Maduro government appears determined to delay serious action on the economy until after hotly contested parliamentary elections to be held on December 6th. 

President Maduro also expressed support for the governments of Ecuador and Brazil, where Rafael Correa and Dilma Rousseff faced massive anti-government protests over the weekend. 

He denounced the role of “US imperialism” and national “oligarchies”, who he accused of “sabotaging” left and center-left governments throughout Latin America. 

Referring to Correa, whose government faces staunch protests from the Right as well as indigenous sectors over a constitutional reform package, Maduro praised the Ecuadorian leader as an “undefeated leader” who “in eight years has won every consecutive election”. 

The Venezuelan Head of State went on to denounce those “seeming to be indigenous leaders” who he accused of being “bought by NGOs… so as to seem that the people are against Correa,” despite criticisms by some Venezuelan leftists who maintain that indigenous groups are expressing legitimate grievances. 

Maduro also voiced solidarity with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, slamming the country’s far Right, which he says “has not stopped conspiring against Dilma”.