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Registrations are now open for the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s (AVSN) next brigade to revolutionary Venezuela. The solidarity tour, to run over December 4-13 this year, will be a special one for the AVSN, the first since the election of President Nicolas Maduro following the death of Hugo Chavez on March 5.

Since 1998, when Chavez was first elected president, the Bolivarian revolution has achieved remarkable things by putting control of Venezuela’s politics and economy back into the hands of the poor majority.

Despite the challenges created by Chavez’s death, in particular the United States-backed opposition’s campaign to undermine the government, this people-power driven revolution continues to flourish, defying attempts to destroy it.

The December brigade will be a unique opportunity to observe first-hand, learn about and be inspired by a grassroots mass movement that is transforming not only Venezuela, but all of Latin America. It is challenging the greed and destructiveness of global capitalism by showing that a better world is possible.

This is the 14th tour organised by the AVSN. It will be led by Latin America solidarity activist and author Fred Fuentes. The itinerary is being planned in consultation with the AVSN’s partners in Venezuela, however, the 10-day tour will include visits to social missions, communal councils and communes, as well as production cooperatives, public health and education services, sustainable development projects, community controlled media, and women’s and Indigenous organisations and projects.

Brigade participants will meet with a wide range of grassroots organisations, community activists, trade unions and government representatives to learn more about the participatory democracy and “socialism of the 21st century” being created by the Venezuelan people.

Accommodation and transport in Venezuela, and translation throughout the brigade will be organised for all participants by the AVSN.

[The registration deadline for the brigade is September 1. To obtain a registration form, or for more information, please email , or phone Jim on 0423 741 734, Roberto on 0425 182 994 or Lisa on 0413 031 108.]