In 1989 the people of Caracas rose up against an austerity programme. Here in the UK we have seen student protests, in Caracas it was a spontaneous protest against bus fares that sparked things off. Eventually a new fairer economic system was introduced as a result of grassroots and largely unorganised protests.

Joel Linares is a Venezuelan Christian community organiser from a poor barrio in the west of Caracas, whose work is influenced by Liberation theology. He is a graduate of the Venezuelan government's 'Mision Cultura' programme and is involved in a number of initiatives to promote community participation and development in Caracas and across Venezuela. He is currently doing work for Venezuela's Social Development Bank (BANDES).

The poor of Venezuela have many enemies within the country - and outside: The US government has a long history in Latin America of sponsoring coups against democratic governments, economic destabilisation and death squads & Venezuela is no exception: In 2002, Western governments backed a coup attempt against the democratically elected President - the poor rose up to defend democracy against the elites.

Come and learn about the fight against cuts and austerity and the struggle for a democratic economy. There is more to Venezuela than Hugo Chavez as well.

Tuesday 30 November at 7 pm, Main Building, Cardiff University, Park Place (opp. Student Union)

a CARDIFF LATIN AMERICA FORUM hosted in association with Cardiff Stop the War Coalition and other progressive campaigns: Cut the War not the Poor!