Lasair Dhearg activists have today taken solidarity action to highlight the ongoing attack by US imperialism upon the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela. Altering multiple bus stops across Belfast, activists erected various posters expressing Lasair Dhearg’s support for the abducted President Maduro, the Venezuelan people and their revolution.
Having suffered decades under the jackboot of Yankee imperialism and it’s collaborators, the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela began under the leadership of the formidable Hugo Chávez. Upon being elected President, Chávez and the popularly elected constituent assembly ratified by popular vote the ‘Bolivarian Constitution’ – a radical new constitution rooted in anti-imperialsim and the philosophy of the revolutionary Simón Bolívar.
Using this constitution, Chavez and the new socialist government declared “economic war” on the Venezuelan and US oligarchs, and began retaking control of the resources of Venezuela to be used for the betterment of the masses. They nationalized key industries, created participatory democratic Communal Councils, and implemented social programs known as the Bolivarian missions to expand access to food, housing, healthcare and education. This immensely reduced poverty and hunger, whilst rapidly raising literacy and housing standards. These achievements were primarily achieved through the redirection of Venezuelas oil reserves away from foreign corporate hands and back into the ownership of the state – who would inject it’s profits into social spending instead of them being ferried offshore into the pockets of foreign, mainly US, oligarchs.
Venezuela became a new beacon for anti-imperialist struggle, it’s government began forging ties across the region and the world with various other socialist and anti-imperialist governments (such as Cuba) to unite against US interference and economic terrorism. For this reason, the capitalist media of the imperial world started to vilify Venezuela, it’s leaders and it’s revolution. Lead by the US, Venezuela has been subject to harsh economic sanctions that limit it’s ability to trade – particularly with it’s oil reserves which were crucial for it’s economy.
Despite international aggression and various CIA funded counter revolutions – Chávez was elected four times to the Presidential office before his death.
Elected by the Venezuelan people as Chávez successor, Nicholas Maduro has carried the torch for the Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela. For this ‘crime’, and the crime of choosing his people over US economic interests – he now lies in a Yankee prison cell after his abduction from his home.
Lasair Dhearg condemns U.S state sponsored terrorism in all its forms – military and economic. If anything is to change, socialist republicans here in Ireland must organise to dismantle Ireland’s role within the international network of imperialism. We must target US corporations using Ireland as a tax haven, and evict every atom of the US military apparatus from our lands like with Shannon Airport. Likewise, no greater act in support of Venezuela can be given by Ireland but the removal of Britain’s colonial presence from our country and ending its role in the economic sanctions on Venezuela.
Long live the Bolivarian Revolution! Free Maduro! Free Flores!
