Red Pepper's Venezuela Blog

John Pilger's 'The War on Democracy' Released on DVD

['The War on Democracy' by John Pilger was released today on DVD - more info below. Set in Latin America and the US, 'The War on Democracy' explores the historic and current relationship of Washington with countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia and Chile. The DVD release has both Spanish and Portugese subtitles. Click here to see the film's trailer. To read an interview with Pilger about the film by Venezuelanalysis.com click here. For a Spanish version of the interview click here.]

Venezuelans See Economy and Democracy More Positively Than Other Latin Americans

[Pascual Serrano reports on the NGO Latinobarómetro's annual poll surveying the development of democracies, economies, and societies in Latin America, which shows that Venezuelans view their economy and democracy more positively than other Latin Americans. For a Spanish version of this article click here.]

Grass-roots Chávismo Awakes

[Letting the grassroots lead is the only way forward from referendum defeat, says Reinaldo Iturriza Lopez. For a Spanish version of this article click here. This article is one of two included in the February/March 2008 issue of Red Pepper magazine that analyses the prospects for the Bolivarian process following the narrow defeat of President Hugo Chávez’s constitutional reform proposals in December’s referendum.]

Documentary: 'New Faces, The Same Objective'

[The Gringo In Venezuela blog has provided English subtitles to a documentary on Venezuela's opposition student movement by Spanish journalist David Segarra Soler entitled 'New Faces, The Same Objective'. In the documentary Soler reveals the connections that Venezuela's opposition student movement has with various CIA front organisations, and right-wing political groups from around Europe.]

The Economic Policy of the Latin American Left in Government: Venezuela

[In a briefing for the Transnational Institute (TNI) Edgardo Lander and Pablo Navarrete argue that Venezuela has undergone profound political and social changes since Hugo Chávez assumed the presidency in February 1999, which have been reflected in a fundamental shift in the country's economic policy. The briefing offers a historically grounded account of how, in three distinct stages, the Chávez government has put an end to neo-liberal policymaking in the country and instituted various structural changes to the Venezuelan economy.]

Hugo Chávez

[Le Monde Diplomatique editor Ignacio Ramonet argues that given the results acheived by the Chavez government in Venezuela, is it not surprising that President Chávez has become a target that "the owners of the world and their agents want to shoot". Click here for a Spanish version of this article.]

Associated Press Omits Relevant History in Report of Chavez's Harsh Words for Spain's former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar

[Justin Delacour, editor of the blog, Latin America News Review, argues that  a recent Associated Press report quoting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as referring to Spain's former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar as a "fascist" at the Ibero-American summit in Santiago, Chile, fails to include the relevant background information. Consequently, the report makes Chavez's statements appear so bizarre and undiplomatic as to be inexplicable. During closing speeches by Latin American leaders on Saturday, King Juan Carlos of Spain told Chavez to "shut up", therebye bringing the Ibero-American summit to an acrimonious end. Click here for an update by Delacour on this story. Click here for an account of this news in Spanish and to see a video of the exchange between Chavez and the Spanish king.]

A combination photo shows Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez addressing the closing session of the XVII Ibero-American Summit (right photo) and Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero (L) and King Juan Carlos protesting over Chavez's speech (left photo) in Santiago November 10, 2007. King Juan Carlos told Chavez on Saturday to "shut up" during closing speeches by leaders from the Latin world that brought the Ibero-American summit to an acrimonious end. Credit: Reuters

Venezuela Warns U.S. that "Cuba is Not Alone"

[Venezuelanalysis.com's Chris Carlson reports on the Venezuelan government's response to US President George W. Bush's threats towards Cuba on Wednesday. Both Venezuelan and Cuban authorities rejected the statements, labeling them "imperialist aggression." For an account in Spanish of this news click here.]

An anti-Bush poster in front of the U.S.diplomatic mission in Havana reads "Coming soon to a court in North America: 'The murderer' starring Posada Carriles and George W. Bush." Havana, Cuba, March 1, 2006. Credit: Pablo Navarrete

Chávez Proposes International of Left Parties

[MRZine report on the invitation made by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to parties and movements of the Left of Latin America and the Caribbean to have a meeting in 2008 to create an international organisation. For a Spanish version of this article click here.]

The Old Iran-Contra Death Squad Gang is Desperate to Discredit Chavez

[For John Pilger, democracy and hope in Latin America have been revived by Venezuela's leader. But the forces allied against him are formidable. Click here to watch an extract from John Pilger's new film 'The War on Democracy'. For a Spanish version of this article click here.]