Chavez: Venezuela and the New Latin America

Venezuela's Hugo Chavez has become quite a well-known figure in America if not the world. Most of the attention is due to his leftist politics and revolutionary movement, the Bolivarian Revolution, not to mention his close friendship with Cuba's Fidel Castro. But what we rarely get, as is the case with most controversial figures, is the man's words. In the U.S. most people have only seen the video of Chavez calling Bush "the Devil" over and over again. Here we get Chavez's actual ideas and personal accounts of his life and formation as a revolutionary leader. "Chavez: Venezuela & The New Latin America" is crucial reading for those who want to read the man's own words and learn about his life and vision. The interview on which the book is based was conducted by Aleida Guevara, daughter of legendary revolutionary Che Guevara, she dwelves deep into Chavez's background and current state not just as a political figure but as a father as well. Chavez discusses in candid detail his family, his close relationship with his daughters and his growing up poor with a loving grandmother. Some of the most fascinating passages deal with Chavez's years in the Venezuelan army where he witnesses brutal repression by the government of farmers and students considered "subversive." In brilliant detail Chavez describes the Bolivarian project and it's achievements in education, he also talks about the continuing fight against the oligarchy in his country and there riveting accounts of the infamous 2002 U.S.-backed coup in Venezuela which provoked a public outcry that brought Chavez back to power. The continuing relationship between Venezuela and Cuba is discussed with some interesting moments where Chavez reveals even health advice that Fidel Castro gives him. "Chavez" is worth reading to get the point of view from the man himelf, it flows smoothly humor, charm and always a driving need to inform.

While the U.S. has always been a Republic and a democracy on paper, it has never been either in practice. A major feature of the U.S. system is that its White citizens have been led to believe they live in a republic and a democracy while the nonwhite population is reminded in no uncertain terms, that they were never part of the original deal. The U.S. is actually run by a banking based oligarchy, which rules a population kept perpetually divided along racial, and or ideological lines. A divided population is easier to control, thus Americans are encouraged to remain divided, for this reason. Venezuela like most of the former 'slaveowning' nations of the Americas, has long been run by an oligarchy like that of the U.S. Since the systems are the same, the same racial and ideological divisions used to govern the U.S., have been used to govern Venezuela. In time the oligarchy based in the U.S. has come to dominate the entire hemisphere. Enter Hugo Chavez: an man of non-white ancestry, who dares to challenge the centuries old system of oligarchical rule. Not only has he energized those traditionally at the bottom of the socio-economic and racial pecking order, he is uniting all Venezuelans in ways which transcend the old racial and ideological divisions. This is a great development for people interested in freeing themselves from the iron grip of the banker oligarchy. For those who serve them however, this is a dangerous development, hence the vitriolic diatribes against him in the U.S. and Venezuelan mainstream media. In this book Chavez speaks in his own words, and gives ample coverage of his mission to elevate those who've been oppressed and exploited by the oligarchy, into the full benefits of citizenship and self determination. The unsuccessful coup attempt against Chavez has good and bad aspects. A good aspect because the forces of oligarchial slavery were defeated. A bad aspect because the oligarchy is sure to resort to more diabolical measures in an attempt to crush the blossoming of real democracy Chavez has wrought.

I was encouraged to buy this book by the hysterical shrieking of the negative reviews. The Castro-bashing is always amusing in the context of the United States' history of butchering the people of Latin America. Say what you want about Castro or Chavez, their administations are challenging neoliberal policies that have caused untold suffering throughout the world and are currently bringing corporatist class war machinations to the USA. While these interviews with Chavez reveal what an interesting and articulate person he is, it's healthy to realize that Hugo is not a "hero" (as another reviewer asserted). The world doesn't need heroes, it needs the development of grassroots organizations and engaged people to figure out things for themselves. Fortunately, there are civic organizations like "Global Exchange" that take people to Venezuela to see some of the vision Chavez speaks of being put into action. Many people throughout Venezuela and beyond are thankful for that country's progressive efforts (including providing cheap oil to impoverished communities in the US), and resented the US-backed coup attempt. Venezuela's plutocracy was hoping to regain power, but an incredible show of popular support kept Chavez in office. There's actually a documentary that captured that event on film called "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." I don't believe it's on DVD yet, but you can learn more at www.chavezthefilm.com. It's hard to say where Venezuela's social change efforts will lead. A great deal of the future success or failure depends on what actions are taken by the warlords of Imperial America, who no doubt already have Special Ops forces, CIA agents, and "Economic Hit Men" skulking all around Caracas. Venezuela's future also will be affected by the citizens of the US and other nations, and whether or not they choose to act in solidarity. This book and groups like Global Exchange will provide concerned people with the sort of insight and opportunities they need to contribute to democratic change in Venezuela and the United States. "There is at the head of this great continent a very powerful country, very rich, very war-like, and capable of anything. The United States seems destined to plague and torment the continent in the name of freedom." -Simon Bolivar (1783-1830)

There is a wind of change in Latin America. Hugo Chavez is at the forefront of the political and social movements in Latin America. To some he's considered a tyrant, but the truth is that he does'nt peddle to the wishes of Washington as other Latin American leaders have done throughout the 19th and 20th century. The attempted coupe of 2002 and the referendum are proof that the citizens of Venezuela need the guidance of the Bolivarian Revolution and Hugo Chavez. This by far is the best book on Hugo Chavez I've read so far because it's him in his own words in an interview conducted by Aleida Guevara, daughter of Ernesto Guevara de la Serna(Che). Why is it when leaders choose the well being of their own citizens first by reforming past neoliberal policies that they are considered by the U.S. threats to democracy? The past opportunities that Latin America had in the 20th century to progress after centuries of Spanish colonialism were twarted by American intervention with the coupes against Arbenz in Guatemala and the murder of Salvador Allende in Chile. It almost happened again and you could see the complicity of the U.S. when it was the sole country of the Americas to recognize the new government after the coupe. Change this time will not be stopped, up next Mexico...