2013 Viva Venezuela!

Following the showing in January 2013 of The Revolution will Not be Televised, a group of 10 people came together to show series of 3 films about Venezuela. We wanted to learn from Venezuela, show solidarity with the revolution, and challenge the biased UK media reporting of what is going on in Venezuela. We also wanted to make contact with other people living locally who may be interested in joining us. The film series was followed by a launch meeting of a new organisation Viva! in November 2013.

Why Venezuela?

Hugo Chavez won ten elections in his fourteen years as president of Venezuela. In spite of Chavez’ death from cancer in March 2013, the Venezuelan electorate voted again in April for the same government, against privatisation, in favour of powerful community councils, and for labour laws that give more power to workers.

These were the policies developed over the past fourteen years in Venezuela, which we want to learn from. How different is the Venezuelan experience from the roll back of health and welfare in Britain in the name of austerity! How do they do it?

The Venezuelan labour laws do not allow services to be sub-contracted or out-sourced. Those providing services have to be accountable. How do they do it and what are the problems?

Neighbourhood council meetings of everyone have the power and the resources to decide what businesses will operate locally and what local investment will be used for. They manage and are responsible for the results. Who makes that happen?

There is opposition to the Venezuelan government, that wants privileges returned to those with money. The opposition is supported by the media magnates, foreign governments, and many Venezuelans unsure of a socialist government. What are the tactics of the opposition and how are they resisted?

The new president Nicolas Maduro has pledged to continue policies, which have given hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans low-cost housing and fixed prices for basic food items, aimed at reducing inequality. Latin America has declared itself free of nuclear arms, allowing further social expenditure. What does reducing inequality involve in Venezuela? Who wins? Who loses?

We want to learn more from developing country that has successfully put investment in education, health and housing ahead of commercial profits. We plan to work with the Venezuelan Embassy and the Venezuelan Solidarity Campaign and anyone in the Bradford area who wants to join in.