Many things have been said about Venezuela, its leaders and its people; namely, the ability of its process to survive the historical challenges of the growing economic crisis and attacks from the political opposition.
Now is the time to stand in solidarity with Venezuela and really get to know its people and process.
Venezuela has been rocked in recent weeks by almost daily protests and counter-protests, as right-wing opponents of socialist President Nicolas Maduro seek to bring down his government.
While the media portrays these events as a popular rebellion against an authoritarian government, supporters of the pro-poor Bolivarian revolution initiated by former president Hugo Chavez say the country is witnessing an escalation in what is an ongoing counter-revolutionary campaign seeking to restore Venezuela鈥檚 traditional elites in power and reverse the gains made by the poor majority under Chavez and Maduro.
Speaking to tens of thousands of supporters gathered to commemorate International Workers Day on May 1, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced he would call a constituent assembly, effectively remaking the country's constitution.
"Today, on May 1, I announce that I will use my presidential privileges as constitutional head of state in accordance with article 347, to convene the original constituent power so that the working class and the people can call a national constituent assembly," President Maduro said.
Women took to the streeks of Caracas on April 27, demanding an end to violent opposition protests, that day. The rally was supported by dozens of women鈥檚 groups from across the country, after being called by the Minister of Women and Gender Equality, Blanca Eekhout.
鈥淪isters, let's go together to fill the streets with love in the defence of life,鈥 Eekhout said ahead of the march. She added, 鈥淲e will overcome!鈥
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez announced that the country will begin the process of exiting the Organization of American States (OAS).
The announcement came after the organisation's Permanent Council agreed on April 26 to convene a meeting of foreign ministers to discuss the situation in Venezuela, with 19 votes in favour, 10 against, one abstention and one absence.
Venezuela is in flames. Or at least parts of it are.
Since April 4, right-wing opposition militants have carried targeted acts of violence, vandalism and arson. They are deliberately clashing with security forces in a bid to plunge the country into chaos and forcefully remove the elected socialist government.
It is the continuation of an 18 year effort to topple the Bolivarian revolution by any means necessary 鈥 although you may have seen it miraculously recast in the mainstream media as 鈥減romoting a return to democracy.
Tens聽of thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets of the capital on April 19 in huge pro-government rallies marking the country鈥檚 independence day.聽
Thousands of right-wing opposition also took to the streets in often violent protests. The day after the large pro- and anti-government marches, more right-wing violence broke out. The government accused opposition protesters of attacking public institutions, including a maternity hospital, on April 20. Ten people were also confirmed dead after a riot in Caracas.
As Venezuela and its elected left-wing government faces a series of violent right-wing protests, attacks from the right across the region and threats from the United states, a range of left-wing and solidarity groups in the Asia-Pacific region released the statement below on April 19.
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In defence of the Bolivarian process against right-wing counterrevolution: No to foreign intervention in Venezuela!
Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Relations Delcy Rodriguez issued an on March 14 rejecting Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Luis Almagro鈥檚 calling for the suspension of the South American nation if general elections are not held 鈥渁s quickly as possible鈥.
Late Venezuelan socialist President Hugo Chavez, who died in office on March 5, 2013, is the most popular head of state in the country鈥檚 history, according .
Dr Marcelo Jose Alfonzo Rosas, who passed away on February 22 aged 66, was a committed revolutionary and supporter of Venezuela鈥檚 late socialist president Hugo Chavez. He had been an active socialist since his student days at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), where he studied medicine and biology.
The government of Hugo Chavez, who was first elected in 1998, helped lead the Bolivarian revolutionary process that made impressive social gains by redistributing oil wealth and promoting participatory democracy.
Since Chavez鈥檚 death in 2013, the Bolivarian government led by President Nicolas Maduro has faced mounting problems. In recent times, a worsening economic crisis has undermined the revolution鈥檚 gains and, along with political gains by the counter-revolutionary opposition, has raised questions about the survival of the revolution.