[OPE-L] Stedile on Venezuela

["michael a. lebowitz" <mlebowit@xxxxxx>]

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MST Representative Visits Venezuela, Sees Country in Transformation

Dear Friends, 

I am writing to you from the bolivarian planes in the state of Barinas,
in the centre of Venezuela. I am here doing a percorrido as they say, to
learn about the agrarian reform process in Venezuela. I am impressed. I
am very impressed. After all, as the oriental proverb goes: "The
eyes see more than the ears". Venezuela had a glorious past in the
19th century brought about by the heroic struggles for independence led
by Simon Bolívar, Ezequiel Zamora with the aid of a brave Brazilian
combatant who reached the rango [rank] of general: Abreu Lima, born in
Pernambuco, whom Venezuelans are very proud of, even though we Brazilians
regrettably do not even know his history. 

Nevertheless, the 20th century reserved to Venezuela a true economic and
social tragedy. Its territory sits on a giant oil sheet and the North
American civilization built on energy derived from oil, has practically
transformed Venezuela in its colony, in order to guarantee the supply of
its main energy source to the United States. Venezuela is responsible for
supplying 25% of all oil consumption in the United States. There was a
"wholly alliance" between a local minority oligarchy, which
took over the state and oil resources. It was locapleted! And on the
other hand, the ideological-economic-political and military power from
the northern empire, maintained them intact. 

Consequence: 80% of the population immersed in deep poverty, while 2%
lived sumptuously. Only 8% of the population has survived in rural areas,
since the agriculture was completely marginalized. And the country was
forced to buy 88% of all its food abroad. 

It was in this historical context that finally in 1998, with the
electoral victory of a young and impetuous colonel, banned from the army,
change was initiated. They have entered the 21st century under a new
perspective. Venezuela is no longer a US colony. It is now the Bolivarian
Republic of the Venezuelan People. 

In the beginning, it looked like he was going to be another one of those
deceitful populist "army guys" that many times got to power in
our continent. The local oligarchy lost the elections, but tried to
maintain the same economic team from the defeated government, (have you
seen this film in other countries?...). This cooptation attempt last for
six months. But it looks like that young colonel Chavez was not kidding.
He immediately changed the institutions. He called a constituent
assembly, which altered all laws in the country and paved the way for
popular participation. People believed and started to mobilize and
participate in the government, which slowly transformed itself into a
popular and revolutionary government. And they started incorporating more
and more Simon Bolivar's anti-imperialist and independent feelings.

I was here in 2001, for a seminar on the challenges of humanity. I did
not see significant changes then. On my return I could not report much to
my friends from via campesina Brazil. Now, I see that progress was
brewing. I have returned now and I can see enormous changes. In the
government, among the people, in the process, in the way changes have
been made. Only the elite, the oligarchy have not changed, they are
holding on to their privileges like parasite ticks, trying to stop
changes at any cost. 

President Chavez went through six plebiscites, one referendum and two
elections. He won each one of them. And still, he has been called a
dictator and a despot. Some bit players from Brazilian bourgeoisie also
say that 

But wat is really changing? 

The meaning of politics for the people has changed. People are aware,
actively participating in all state and government decisions. This is the
main path: to make the masses participate in the life of the country.

The direction of the economy has changed. Even more so here which is 80%
dependent on oil. Very well, those billions of dollars from oil which in
the past were used by only 8% of the population to indulge themselves in
luxuries and extravagancies are now financing the universalization of
public and health services for the population. They are now used for
wealth distribution, to guarantee food at cost prices, free education,
building popular housing and for land distribution, 

It has changed its foreign policy. Now exercised with pride and a clear
sense of independence from imperialism. 

The role of the army has changed. I was impressed to see the level of
political awareness of young lieutenants, majors, captains, who do not
live in military quarters but rather take an active role in the
administration of social projects: building roads, bridges, managing
popular markets, etc. They have given meaning to their uniforms. Now I
saw armed soldiers, but armed by the people, as in the song of Geraldo
Vandré, helping to occupy Malquinesa farm, which recently had its totally
unproductive 8,600 hectares expropriated, even though its soil is the
best in the country, in the plains of Barinenha. 

I saw poor, enthusiastic young people, who now have access to education,
not only primary or secondary education, but they also can register for
any university course. I saw the President announce the opening of 20
thousand spaces for medical students, as for this academic year. I saw
the President participate in a television programme for seven hours,
discussing all the problems in the country. 

I saw a generous process of agrarian reform, which expropriates all land
grilada by large farmers who cannot prove its source. But it still honors
all properties up to 5 thousand hectares in size. I saw the oligarchy
snarling like stinky dogs, stating that the law, which was approved by
more than 80% congressmen, is an outrage to property rights! 

I saw on the streets and popular libraries, the state distributing more
than one million copies each of the classics of literature, such as The
Miserable - Vitor Hugo and Don Quixote, etc. 

I saw a highly mobilized and conscious people defending their interests
and struggling for true economic and social transformation. 

I saw the president of the Republic denounce on TV network, that there
was an oil company operating 15 thousand petrol stations and three
refineries, inside the United States, for 35 years, owned by the
Venezuelan state, and that in these 35 years, before the Bolivarian
Government, had not sent even a penny to Venezuela. And finally now,
after many interventions, for the first time, in 2005, in only eight
months, the new direction has sent to the country 500 million dollars net
profit. Imagine what they have stolen in 35 years! And the president
announced that this money which was not included in the budget, would be
used for social investment, among the poorest layers of the population.

However it is also certain that they are facing enormous challenges. Many
obstacles, such as eliminating their food purchase dependency. As well as
the challenge to rebuild the productive structure of the country, using
oil resources for other productive investments, generating work for all.
They say that the greatest challenge is to build a new economic model,
breaking away from oil dependency and the financial empire and moving
towards socialism. They call it the process of building a new endogenous
development model, local and Venezuelan. 

I saw many changes which are improving the life of the poor in Venezuela.
I saw men and women walking with pride and dignity with raised heads.

I saw that there is a way out for Latin America. All we need is
conscious, organized and mobilized people. And a government committed to
the people and not to capital. 

Boys/girls I swear that I saw all that! 

Joao Pedro Stédile,
Economist and National Leader of the MST
Member of the Direction of Via Campesina Brasil

Michael A. Lebowitz

Professor Emeritus

Economics Department

Simon Fraser University

Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6

Currently based in Venezuela. Can be reached at

Residencias Anauco Suites

Departamento 601

Parque Central, Zona Postal 1010, Oficina 1

Caracas, Venezuela

(58-212) 573-4111

fax: (58-212) 573-7724