Red Pepper's Venezuela Blog

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.]

Constitutional Reform to Construct a New "Bolivarian" Democracy in Venezuela

[Venezuelanalysis.com report on last Sunday's announcement by President Hugo Chavez that his proposed reforms to the national constitution have the intention of constructing a new "Bolivarian" democracy in the country. During his Sunday TV and radio program Aló Presidente, President Chavez emphasised that increased power and participation from the people, as well as a change in the organisational structure of the country are important reforms in the construction of a new model of democracy.]

As Usual, Only Half The Story Is Told

[Greg Wilpert, editor of Venezuelanalysis.com, comments on a recent article by Ivan Briscoe for www.opendemocracy.net which offers "a forensic assessment - both panoramic and ground-level - of a major political experiment."]

Venezuelan Oil Deal to Aid Low-Income Londoners

[Venezuelanalysis.com's Chris Carlson reports on the deal between the Venezuelan government and the mayor of London wherebye since last week the English capital began offering half-price bus fares to poor residents of the city. The plan to supply the city with discounted oil will allow 250,000 of the poorest residents of London to more easily use public transport.]

Eyes Wide Shut: The International Media Looks at Venezuela

[Mark Weisbrot, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) in Washington, D.C., argues that most consumers of the international media will be surprised to find that the controversy over Venezuela's oldest TV station, RCTV, is still raging. We were repeatedly informed that President Hugo Chavez "shut down" the station on May 27th. But in fact the station was never "shut down."]

Talking Dirty About Revolution: Sexual Health and Gender Inequality in Venezuela

[For Rebecca Trotzky Sirr, besides lack of free condoms, the fundamental challenges to improving sexual healthcare across Venezuela remains, at heart, an ingrained machismo. Women die because, in spite of rhetoric promoting health as a human right, sexual health is still marginalised.] 

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.]

The Guardian to Preview John Pilger's 'The War on Democracy'

[The Guardian website is previewing 'The War On Democracy' ahead of its transmission on ITV. In addition, The Guardian's 'Comment is Free' (CiF) website has an open thread asking people to put questions to Pilger in advance of him answering questions about the issues raised in his latest film on Friday afternoon on Cif. Update: click here to see the questions Pilger answered in the 'webchat'.]

ITV To Broadcast John Pilger's 'The War on Democracy' - Monday 20th August

[The War on Democracy, John Pilger's first feature documentary, will go to air on ITV1 on Monday, August 20 at 11pm. 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. In recognition of the film's significance, ITV will screen the film in its entirety with only one commercial break. Since early June, TWOD has played at some 40 cinemas throughout the UK and returns to London on the 18 August at the Clapham Picture House. John Pilger will introduce the film on Sunday 19 August at 4pm and take post-screening questions. Click here to watch an extract from John Pilger's new film 'The War on Democracy'.]

The Venezuelan Arms Build Up: Fact or Fiction?

[For Victor Figueroa-Clark, facts show the total falsity of the allegations that Chavez is engaging Venezuela in an arms build up that threatens regional peace and stability; and they also help to disclose the worrying level of anti-Chavez propaganda that is finding its way into the mainstream media. For a Spanish version of this article click here.]

New recruits for the reserves report to duty from the Caracas barrio 23 de enero. Credit: Alexander Holland/Venezuelanalysis.com