Venezuela: `For every April 11th, may there be an April 13th' -- solidarity messages on anniversary of defeated coup

Celebrating the 8th anniversary of the Venezuelan people’s defeat of the April 11, 2002, coup against Hugo Chavez, and solidarity with the Venezuelan Revolution

By the Socialist Party of Malaysia

April 13, 2010 – This year April 13 marks the 8th anniversary of people’s victory over the US-backed coup d’état against President Hugo Chavez in 2002. The Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) would like to pay tribute to the revolutionary masses of Venezuela who defended the revolution eight years ago with tremendous courage and now are still fighting to shape Socialism of the 21st Century.

Eight years ago, on April 11, 2002, the right-wing oligarchy of Venezuela backed by the US imperialists, with the help of the corporate media, staged a coup against popularly elected president Hugo Chavez, in an attempt to derail the revolutionary process in Venezuela which has been seen as a threat to the vested interests of the filthy rich oligarchy in Venezuela and US imperialists. The coup failed after over a million people took the streets and called for the return of Hugo Chavez. The defeat of the coup demonstrated how the power of the people from below can make substantial changes, and defend the revolutionary process that in turn empowers the people further.

The revolution in Venezuela has been an inspiration and beacon of light for the people around the world who are fighting against capitalism. We have witnessed the rise of new popular power in Venezuela through the setting up of communal councils, workers’ takeover of factories and the establishment of the mass-based revolutionary party -– the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). It has provided us a new alternative to capitalism, the alternative of another world, the alternative of a socialist world.

The revolutionary movement in Venezuela has posed a tremendous challenge to the domestic old ruling elite as well as the imperialist powers in the world. We recognise the revolution in Venezuela is under threat from within and without, but we are confident that the revolutionary masses in Venezuela can overcome all these obstacles and move forward, as they did when they defeated the US-backed coup in 2002.

The Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) also welcomes the call from President Hugo Chavez for the setting up of a new revolutionary international, the Fifth International. The call for the new revolutionary international is a timely and crucial one as the world has been thrown into multiple crises by capitalism and we urgently need to build a credible worldwide movement to replace capitalism with socialism from below. For the last decade, there has been a re-emergence of popular struggles against capitalism and imperialism around the world, and the Venezuelan people have been at the forefront of these struggles.

Today, the epicentre of revolution has shifted to Latin America, especially to Venezuela. The crisis of capitalism is also getting worse by the day and there is a need to put an end to the savage rule of capitalism. The revolution in Venezuela has opened up a new phase of struggle against capitalism in the 21st century, and has brought new hope for a world without class oppression and exploitation.

The PSM expresses it continuous support to the revolutionary process in Venezuela and our solidarity is always with the revolutionary masses of Venezuela.

El pueblo unido jamás será vencido ! Marcha en la revolución!

Choo Chon Kai
International Bureau
Socialist Party of Malaysia/Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
http://parti-sosialis.org/

To President Hugo Chavez and the courageous Bolivarians of Venezuela

Dear President Chavez and companeros,

April 13, 2010 – The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network sends our message of strong friendship and solidarity on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of the people’s triumph over the April 11, 2002, US-backed coup against democracy and freedom for Venezuela. For every April 11th, may there be an April 13th!

As well, we join in spirit with your celebrations this month of 200 years of hard-won independence from colonial rule.

The achievements of the Bolivarian revolution are an inspiration to poor and struggling people all around the world. Your daily battles for and steps towards sovereignty, social justice and socialism of the 21st century give us all hope, and more courage to struggle against the exploitation of both people and the natural environment in our own countries, especially in so-called “advanced” capitalist countries like Australia.

Since the people of Venezuela won their independence two centuries ago, they - and all Latin Americans - have suffered constant attack from imperialism, including coup d’etats, disappearances, brutal dictatorships, economic sabotage, media lies, subversion, counterinsurgency, diplomatic blackmail and electoral intervention.

In the last two years, the United States government has carried out the largest ever military expansion in your region and its propaganda war is escalating - a direct response to the development of Latin American unity, led by Venezuela, which is strengthening the region’s economic and political independence. Venezuela is being especially targeted, and the AVSN pledges our solidarity against these efforts to subvert and destabilise your government and revolution.

We will continue to work hard to convey the truth about the Bolivarian revolution’s remarkable achievements to the people of Australia, and continue to organise solidarity brigades of Australians to visit Venezuela and see this for themselves.

During US President Barack Obama’s forthcoming visit to Australia, the AVSN will be calling on him to end the US’s interference in Venezuela and all of Latin America.

The people of Venezuela have the right to peace, democracy and self-determination, and we pledge our ongoing solidarity to help ensure those basic human rights are realised.

Venceremos!

Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network

April 13, 2010

http://www.venezuelasolidarity.org

Permalink