By Paul Roberts
Nicolás Maduro, the Chávista candidate, won yesterday’s Presidential election in Venezuela.
However, Venezuela’s right wing, which coordinates with the US, is determined to escalate its destabilisation campaign, so is refusing to accept the result.
By Paul Roberts
Venezuela’s Presidential election takes place in just over a week, with Chávismo, one of the most advanced political currents in the world, set to win once more under Nicolás Maduro. Given this, imperialism and its local allies are stepping up their campaign to discredit the expected result as part of their strategy to defeat Venezuela’s socialist revolution.
By Jane West
The funeral of Hugo Chávez takes place today, 8th March 2013, which is also International Women’s Day.
That is apt as some of the most remarkable achievements of Chávez’s Venezuela are the advances that have been achieved for women.
Together with the people of Venezuela, Latin America and all anti-imperialists and progressive people world-wide, we mourn the loss of our comrade Presidente Hugo Chávez.
His death is not only a huge loss for Venezuela, but for the whole of Latin America. And not only for Venezuela and Latin America, but for the entire world.
This loss is felt most deeply in Venezuela itself where people have flooded onto the streets to show their grief and respect, chanting, "Chávez vive, la lucha sigue": "Chávez lives, the battle continues".
This love and respect is a reflection of Chávez’s achievements but also his personal courage in pursuing the most progressive goals.
Respect the democratic will of the Venezuelan people - no to right-wing destabilisation plans
Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro announced on Friday (4 January) that President Hugo Chavez's new term of office will begin this Thursday 10 January, in line with the country’s Constitution. Hugo Chavez won a record number of votes to be re-elected President with a landslide 55% last October.
Vice President Maduro explained that the official Presidential swearing in ceremony can be done at a later date by the Supreme Court, in line with Articles 231-235 of Venezuela's constitution, once Chávez returns from Cuba where he is undergoing treatment for cancer.
Thursday January 10, 7.00pm,
Bolivar Hall, 54 Grafton Way, London, W1T 5DL (nearest tube: Warren Street)
Speakers:
• Samuel Moncada, Venezuelan Ambassador
• Tariq Ali, writer • Jeremy Corbyn MP
As Hugo Chávez returns to Cuba for further treatment, our thoughts and solidarity are with him, his family and with all our friends and comrades in Venezuela.
In recent years, Hugo Chávez has, more than anyone else, played a central role in reviving socialism across the world after a period of international defeats for the working class.
Hugo Chávez has demonstrated the difference that individuals can make in trying to change the world despite the immense military and economic power of the bourgeoisie.
By Jane West
Despite the best efforts of the US and its allies, and the vain hopes of the Western media, Hugo Chávez comprehensively won Sunday’s Venezuelan presidential election with 54.42% of the vote against 44.97% for the opposition.
Chávez gained a record 8.1 million votes compared to 6.5 for the opposition in an election with one of the highest ever turnouts in a Venezuelan election.
For election results see here
Chávez supporters organised Venezuela's largest ever demonstration, in advance of the October 7 Presidential election.
Other pictures of the demonstration can be seen here.
A statement signed by over 200 prominent people (including some 60 British parliamentarians from six parties) is calling on the British government to respect the results of the Venezuelan Presidential election and not support any anti-democratic attempts to not recognise the results. The statement can be seen here.
