From the 24th to the 29th of January 2006 the attention of the global anti-capitalist movement will be focused on Caracas, Venezuela as thousands gather at the World Social Forum, hosted by the self proclaimed socialist Hugo Chavez.
At the same time, just a bumpy bus ride from Caracas outside of the media gaze, another mobilization will be gathering momentum. People who live in the beautiful forested Sierra Perija, in the North Westerly region of Zulia have been organizing, campaigning and taking action for over two years to defend their lives and the land they live on against multinational coal mining companies.

Learn more and find out what you can do to help.

In 1999 Chavez came to power, the new Venezuelan Constitution was written and people were thirsty for change. Neo Liberal policies were rejected in favour of ‘missions’ designed to empower the poorest communities. The left across the world celebrated while the right panicked. The political landscape in Venezuela was polarised; Chavez vs the capitalist opposition; black vs white.
But six years on and there is trouble in paradise. Big business is
reasserting itself in Venezuela while indigenous people continue to fight for their lives and for the environment. Shades of Grey and bursts of colourful resistance are breaking through the black and white picture.

For more on the indigenous resistance in the Sierra Perija
www.noalg8.contrapoder.org. (“other languages”section)
 http://www.nodo50.org/ellibertario (“English” section)
Lusbi Portillo www.soberania.org (all in Spainish)