The 14 years of Hugo Chávez’ presidency gave U.S. elites plenty of fits. They were appalled that Venezuela’s oil wealth was used for things like alleviating poverty and building schools and health clinics in poor neighborhoods.
And then there was the people-powered defeat of a CIA-backed coup to oust Chávez in 2002. This was an historic first for the toilers of Latin America, but to the globo-exploiters it set a frightening precedent.
Chávez spoke much about 21st century socialism. But his Bolivarian revolution left the profit system in place. At the end of the day, a revolution is something that needs to be finished — through the working class taking power and changing class relations.
Again and again the long-impoverished people of Venezuela have exhibited a fervent desire for socialism. The imperialist plotters in Washington will see the death of Chávez as an opportunity to quash such hopes and put the nation’s corrupt, U.S.-dependent oligarchy back in charge. And Cuba will be next in line for the predators.
In these perilous times, those living in El Norte have a special obligation to the poor and striving people of Venezuela: to be ready to fight like hell against any form of U.S. intervention in Latin America.
