Articles

Posted by: John Phoenix On February 15, Venezuelans voted on whether to let presidents, National Assembly representatives, governors, mayors, and state legislators run indefinitely for re-election after Chavez last December proposed a national referendum for constitutional change - so voters, not politicians could decide. Stephen Lendman On February 15, Venezuelans voted on whether to let presidents, National Assembly representatives, governors, mayors, and state legislators run indefinitely for re-election after Chavez last December proposed a national referendum for constitutional change – so voters, not politicians could decide. Sunday they spoke decisively in favor by a 54.4% to 45.6% margin with over 94% of votes counted. Chavez didn't win. Venezuelans did for Bolivar...

Posted by: John Phoenix At a time of growing US poverty, hunger, homelessness, and despair, imperial wars without end, and the Obama administration even worse than its predecessor, Venezuela is a model participatory democracy. Venezuela holds free, fair and open elections; respects the rule of law, civil liberties, and human rights; champions judicial fairness and the rule of law, and has a model free and open media. Venezuela uses its resources responsibly for the people, and provides essential social services for the needy. Venezuela doesn’t intimidate its neighbors. It wages no foreign wars, doesn’t torture or imprison its adversaries, and conducts effective operations to halt illicit drugs trafficking. It also promotes global peace, solidarity, equality and social just...

Posted by: John Phoenix Washington fears Hugo Chavez for good reason. His "good example" threat raises concerns that other regional leaders may follow. As a result, throughout his tenure, he's been targeted and vilified to discredit, weaken and undermine his government, to destroy Bolivarian benefits millions of Venezuelans now enjoy. Several failed coup attempts included: April 2002 for two days, an effort aborted by mass street protests and support from many in Venezuela’s military, especially from the middle-ranking officer corp; the 2002 – 2003 general strike and oil management lockout, causing severe economic disruption and billions of dollars in losses; and the August 2004 national recall referendum that Chavez won overwhelmingly with a 59% majority. Thereaft...