by Alan Macleod
Part 5 - Fighting US Imperialism
Venezuela has been a target because it offers an alternative vision of how society should be organized. Under Hugo Chavez, Venezuela nationalized its vast oil industry and used the profits to fund massive social welfare programs, including free healthcare, education and housing. Under Chavez, poverty was reduced by half, and extreme poverty was reduced by three-quarters. Illiteracy was eradicated, and the student population grew to become the fourth largest in the world. Venezuela became an inspiration around the globe, especially as it led the movement for a more multipolar world, offered unqualified support for Palestinian liberation, and gave its oil away for free to poor countries and communities, including black and Native American populations in the U.S. who had their homes heated for free or at heavily discounted rates courtesy of the Venezuelan government.
U.S. sanctions have devastated the country. But the Maduro administration appears to have successfully weathered the worst of the storm. Stores are full again, inflation has been tamed, and Venezuela now produces 96% of the food it consumes. On top of that, Maduro’s signature housing policy, Misión Gran Vivienda Venezuela, just celebrated the building of its five-millionth apartment. “Venezuela is healing” is a common slogan across the country.
U.S. sanctions have devastated the country. But the Maduro administration appears to have successfully weathered the worst of the storm. Stores are full again, inflation has been tamed, and Venezuela now produces 96% of the food it consumes. On top of that, Maduro’s signature housing policy, Misión Gran Vivienda Venezuela, just celebrated the building of its five-millionth apartment. “Venezuela is healing” is a common slogan across the country.
While the likes of Anthony Blinken and Marco Rubio condemn the electoral process in Venezuela, their positions are not supported by the dozens of Americans who were actually on the ground in Venezuela last week. It is doubtful, however, that those observers’ words and testimonies will be heeded by those in power. After all, for the U.S. Empire, some issues are too important to let the truth get in the way.
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