South America

NOVANEWS by Stephen Lendman   Bolivarianism remains overwhelmingly popular. So is Chavez. He heads the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). In 1999, he transformed the nation into a Bolivarian republic. It’s based on “solidarity, fraternity, love, justice, liberty and equality.” He changed it politically, economically and socially. He established participatory democracy. Venezuela’s process shames America’s, Britain’s, France’s, and other Western states. He constitutionally instituted basic social rights for everyone. They include universal health care, education, affordable housing, land reform, indigenous rights, and much more. Venezuala’s oil wealth is used responsibly. It’s elections are free, open and fair. Freedoms of speech, the press, and assembly are institutionalized...

NOVANEWS By IAN JAMES   Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez blows kisses to supporters during a campaign rally in Maracay, Venezuela, Sunday, July 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela's presidential campaign officially began Sunday with President Hugo Chavez and opposition leader Henrique Capriles rallying their supporters for what promises to be a hard-fought contest leading up to the October vote. Chavez wore his red beret, waving and blowing kisses as he greeted crowds of supporters from atop a truck that rolled from north-central Carabobo state to the nearby city of Maracay, where he spoke from a stage. "The Bolivarian hurricane has gotten started!" Chavez told a crowd, referring to his leftist movement, the Bolivarian Revolution. "We're going ...

NOVANEWS   Chavez Turns Right Towards State Realism Leaving International Solidarity Behind by Prof. James Petras The recent ‘turn’ in Venezuela politics, from expressing sympathy and even support for revolutionary struggles and movements in Latin America to its present collaboration with pro-imperial rightwing regimes, has numerous historical precedents.  Prof. Petras examines the contexts and circumstances of these collaborations. Introduction The radical “Bolivarian Socialist” government of Hugo Chavez has arrested a number of Colombian guerrilla leaders and a radical journalist with Swedish citizenship and handed them over to the right-wing regime of President Juan Manuel Santos, earning the Colombian government’s praise and gratitude.  The close on-going collaboration between...