In our recent Southall Seminar, Comrades Daniel O’Brien and Eléonore Koffi reported back from their visit to Venezuela.
While they were there they took part in the ninth international conference of the World Anti-imperialist Platform, which was co-hosted by the ruling PSUV. As well as launching a new World Anti-imperialist Women’s Platform, the conference included one session on fascism and war and another on the Bolivarian communes, timed to coincide with the launch of Venezuela’s new ‘Comuna’ constitution.
Their trip also included visits to several communes, where they met local workers and saw a variety of economic and social activities being undertaken by these grassroots community organisations. Local commune members explained how they are supported by the state government, and learned about the contribution they are making to the country’s economic recovery and the current plan to build a sovereign and self-sufficient nation.
As imperialism tries to strangle the country through ever fiercer sanctions and sabotage, the communes are a vital tool in helping to shift the balance of forces in favour of the working masses and away from the exploiters and the pro-imperialist compradors.
With US imperialism massing its navy off the coast of Venezuela and doing everything in its power to regain control of the country’s vast oil wealth, it is more important than ever to counter the lies that are being spread by corporate media and help British workers learn the truth.
We must oppose the imperialists’ criminal war drive and defend the Venezuelan people’s right to sovereignty and independence.
Viva Venezuela!
