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Venezuela

August 2004: Chávez Referendum Venezuela.

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En directo desde Venezuela

12-08-2004 15:13

Spanish Coverage IMC Puerto Rico | English Coverage IMC UK | Special live coverage on Radio Pacifica, 1:00 -3:00 am, BST, Monday morning

The Venezuela subsection on Indymedia UK has been created at the request of Indymedia activists in Venezuela. It is being edited from there and here by IMCistas in the UK. Reports will be posted directly, and translated from Spanish originals.

further coverage by Indymedia:
Indymedia | Perth | Germany | Brasil | Equador | Quebec [fr] | Quebec [es] | Austria | Barcelona | Cyprus | Netherlands | Paris | Sweden | Cville | Portland | Santa Cruz | Colombia | Argentina | Italy | Poland | SF Bay | Uruguay | Portugal | Hudson Mohawk | Peru | Manila

Background information and other independent news sources:
Democracy Now! Radio News (12 August) | Venezuela Info [en] | Venezuela Analysis [en] | Aporrea [es] | El Libertario [es] | El Libertario [en] | Contrapoder [es]

Films:
The Revolution will not be televised [de] [es] | KanalB Films on Venezuela | Venezuela Bolivariana: People and Struggle of the Fourth World War [en]

Full article | 3 comments

Caracas Youth Festival Starts

09-08-2005 04:54

logo - everywhere in caracas

Over 17,000 young international activists have gathered in Caracas for the 16th World Festival of Youth and Students, which begins today (Monday 8th August). Several groups in the UK, including Hands Off Venezuela, Colombia Solidarity Campaign, Justice for Colombia and New Generation, as well as various communist groups, have between them sent over 100 delegates. Everyone from Europe is being housed at a newly-completed village, half an hour south of the Venezuelan capital, except for the organisers from the World Federation of Democratic Youth who have been staying at the Hilton Hotel (which is now run as a co-op). The festival is seen as an excellent opportunity to build solidarity with Venezuela's peaceful and democratic revolution.

Full article | 23 comments

Would Bolivar have Toppled the Columbus Statue?

20-10-2004 14:20

columbus: going, going, gone!
Over 200 in Venezuela say: "Free the O12 prisoners or arrest us all!"

October 12th is traditionally celebrated as the day Christopher Columbus "discovered" America. In reality, this is nothing to celebrate, as it unleashed a wave of terror across the continent which continues today. The colonial mentality there is still very much alive with a tiny white elite holding power over a mixed afro-indigenous majority.

Three years ago, Venezuela's self-proclaimed "revolutionary" president, Hugo Chávez, decreed that October 12th should henceforth be known as "Day of Indigenous Resistance". The icon of Columbus has become offensive to the majority of the population and Chávez himself has described him as "worse than Hitler". For the neo-colonialists, however, Columbus stands symbolically as a role-model of conquest.

On "O12" this year, actions in solidarity with Venezuela's "Bolivarian Revolution" and against neo-imperialism and corporate-colonialism happened worldwide. In London we held a picket outside the Mexican and US Embassies, and in Amsterdam a caravan of cyclists denounced multi-national corporations outside their various headquarters. Solidarity actions also happened in Athens, Puerto Rico and Zimbabwe.

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Free Cesar Zelada Campaign (jailed in Bolivia)

24-09-2004 11:49

EuroMPs letter of protest
latest update: Cesar released on bail

previous updates: 2004-9-29 | 2004-10-6 | 2004-10-8

Cesar Zelada is a well known student activist in Peru. He is also a member of the Fuerza de Izquierda Socialista, a left wing group, and the organiser of the Hands off Venezuela campaign in Peru.

He was in Bolivia as part of a delegation of Peruvian student activists invited by the Youth wing of the Bolivian Workers' Union (COB - the Bolivian TUC) to show solidarity with the struggle of the Peruvian students, particularly those at the Oruro Technical University.

He was arrested on September 14th, in the capital La Paz. He was strip searched and handcuffed by the PTJ police and then questioned without having access to a lawyer. He is being kept in jail in the San Pedro Penal, in La Paz. When making the case against him at the hearing, the prosecutor alleged that he was in possession of explosives, had lied about his address in Bolivia and was carrying "Marxist propaganda" with the aim of "subversion".

Full article | 11 comments

Revolution in UK Solidarity with Venezuela

18-09-2004 05:11

outside the US embassy on sunday
SOLIDARITY ALERT! "Hands Off Venezuela" Peru organiser arrested in Bolivia - Free Cesar Zelada!

The level of solidarity between the UK grassroots movements and the Venezuelan people, alongside their popular radical government, has reached a new high. Activists from all political stripes are transcending ideological and personal differences to defend Venezuela's embryonic "Democratic Revolution".

All eyes are focussed on the upcoming "Global Day of Action in Solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution" on October 12th. Events are planned world and UK-wide, with at least three happening in London on this Tuesday of ESF week: a day-school in Middlesex University with the Colombia Solidarity Campaign, a rally with Rhythms of Resistance, and a debate at NUJ headquarters. The day will also be an opportunity to launch a "Bolivarian Block" to carry through the rest of the week's activities, culminating at the big demo on Sunday 17th.

Full article | 4 comments

Chavez Wins Referendum

16-08-2004 11:46

Opposition Has Not Yet Conceded Defeat

Update Wednesday Morning
The opposition has not yet made any move against the government or the popular assemblies, tensions have largely relaxed, and it appears that the crisis has passed [full report in the article].
Venezuelan social movements have put President Chavez on notice that their support for him during the referendum does not mean that they see his presidency as an end in itself; rather, his presidency should protect the grassroots from Venezuela's ruling elites so that the reach of directly democratic neighbourhood assemblies can be extended. "While Chavez has done some to improve the lives of the poor in Venezuela, the revolution can only advance when the people themselves seize control of all the resources and means of production owed to them."

Further information and timeline in the article and in the Venzuela special subsection.

Full article

International solidarity with the people in Venezuela

16-08-2004 01:39

Edinburgh samba school acc idently join

On the 15th of august, the International Day of Solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution of Venezuela, protesters took to the streets and meadows of Edinburgh to inform the public about the importance of the co-inciding referendum on the president in Venezuela in the struggle against neoliberalism, privatisation, exploitation and globalised trade competition.
In the distributed leaflet, the activists state, that they will support a Global Day of Action on October 12th, 2004. [reports and pictures: 1 | 2 | call | video]

Other international solidarity events happened in London during the week before the referendum [report] in the RampArt social centre, [video], protests took place in support of the Bolivarian Revolution in front of the embassy in The Hague, Stockholm, London [report | pics | video], Amsterdam [1|2], Mexico, Dominican Republic.

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Venezuelan Referendum Vote Today

15-08-2004 01:11

Sunday 6:00 PM GMT

The Venezuelan referendum on the left-wing presidency of Hugo Chavez began at 6:00 am (Venezuelan time), 11am BST, today. Indymedia UK is getting live reports from the streets of Caracas and are distilling news from other media sources as they become available. Things have been calm so far, but tensions are expected to rise during the vote.

Full timeline reports in the article, please read on.
Newswire Reports[ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ]
Photos[ 1 ]
Videos [ 1 ] [ 2
Zmag Reports [ 1 ][ 2 ]

There will be a party to wrap up a week of Venezuela-themed solidarity events at the rampARTS social centre tonight.

Full article

VENEZUELA: 23 de Enero Neighbourhood

14-08-2004 20:32

Video
The Venezuelan neighbourhoods, that already once took to the streets to stop the attempted media coup of the communication companies and the national oligarchy, are now organized and ready to demand a further reclaiming of democratic spaces for workers and other deprived groups.

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Venezuela Referendum Nears - Solidarity Week Starts In London

09-08-2004 12:03

This Sunday, Venezuelans will vote on whether to keep their controversial president, Hugo Chávez. Elected with a promise to redistribute Venezuela's enormous oil wealth (before Chávez it was the number one supplier to the US) this referendum will be a chance to find out if he still has the support of the people. Having failed to oust him with a traditional (US backed)coup in 2002, and a general "strike" (bosses lock-out) the following Christmas, the opposition's referendum might actually end up strengthening his legitimacy.

This week, groups in London held a week of solidarity with the Venezuelan people and their right to self-determination without US interference. Daily events (see programme) took place at the rampART creative centre in Whitechapel, starting on Monday 9th with the opening of a "Latinamerican Liberation" exhibition. The main event is a picket of the US Embassy on the day of the referendum, Sunday 15th, from 2pm; meet beforehand in Hyde Park near Speakers' Corner for a 'Bolivarian picnic'.

Final event at the rampART from 6pm sunday, party and what next, plus indymedia access point.

Check out: Latest programme details | Rampart venue website | MultiMap venue map |
opening night review, photos | day two | full week review

New topic created: See Venezuela 2004 for all related posts.

Full article

Military coup in Venezuela failed

20-04-2002 22:00

THREE DAYS THAT SHOOK VENEZUELA

In a stunning reversal of the pro-business coup that ousted him from power on Friday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has returned to the presidential office. Mass protests had erupted in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas immediately after the coup. Thousands of people stormed the presidential palace, 'interim-president' Carmona fled and was later arrested. Read more.

On Friday morning, the Venezuelan army forced President Hugo Chavez to step back from power and put him under arrest. The president of the business council Fedecamaras, Pedro Carmona Estanga, was appointed to head an interim government.

The coup followed days of strikes and mass protests which had been initiated and organised by business councils and business-friendly trade unions. For several months, the national oligarchy opposed to the planned social and land reforms, had provoked civilian opposition to the Chavez-led government. The US-government and international financial institutions had also criticised Chavez for his non-compliance with their demands and had made clear that they would support his removal. Read more here and here.

Background info from:
NarcoNews | Zmag | Schnews


XML UK Venezuela Feature Archive

Text Chavez threatens to cut off US oil supplies
14-01-2006 01:32 | 12 comments

Text U.S. Criticism of Chávez Unfounded
21-12-2004 16:06 | 1 comment

Text O12 (Venezuela) prisoners free!
07-12-2004 00:20

Image You are invited to meet Marisol León
06-12-2004 12:52

Text Venezuela solidarity events in London on Tuesday & Wednesday next week
04-12-2004 09:57

Text Car-bombing, Coup-plotting & the CIA in Venezuela
02-12-2004 04:12 | 1 comment

Text Candle-lit Vigil outside Venezuelan Consulate, Thursday 6-7pm
01-12-2004 03:19 | 1 comment

Image The USA & Economic Terrorism: TLC/AFTA/WTO
30-11-2004 06:06 | 1 comment

Image Extraordinary meeting of Chavez with workers in Madrid
26-11-2004 10:31

Image British MPs condemn murder of Venezuelan prosecutor Danilo Anderson
26-11-2004 10:14

Text Prosecutor investigating anti-Chavez coup killed in terrorist attack
26-11-2004 10:11

Text Spain says former government backed Venezuela coup
23-11-2004 20:01 | 2 comments

Text Prosecutor investigating anti-Chavez coup killed in terrorist attack
23-11-2004 16:29

Text Terror Attack in Venezuela Kills State Prosecutor Danilo Anderson
20-11-2004 17:47

Text Petition by MP's over Indymedia, GATS, Venezuela and Colombia
06-11-2004 18:46

Text Venezuela, Bolivarian's sweep regional elections
02-11-2004 17:03

Text Cesar released on bail - campaign continues
28-10-2004 16:11

Text the O12 statue-toppling debate: round 1!
27-10-2004 00:13 | 1 comment

Text DEBATE! Would Bolivar have Toppled the Columbus Statue?
22-10-2004 17:30 | 1 comment

Text Chavez, TNCs revolucionary
22-10-2004 11:59

Image Hands Off Venezuela peaceful picket of Venezuelan Consulate, London 2004-10-21
22-10-2004 01:40 | 3 comments

Text Thursday 21st October: Day of Action in Solidarity with the O12 prisoners
19-10-2004 23:46 | 1 comment

Text Venezuela O12: Next Statues To Topple...
19-10-2004 23:26

Text Pachamerica day in London
18-10-2004 15:03 | 1 comment

Text Gonzalo Gomez founder and editor of aporrea.org Venezuela independent news wire
16-10-2004 18:10

Audio interview from Venezuela about O12 prisoners
15-10-2004 23:23 | 1 comment

Text VENEZUELA: We are responsible
15-10-2004 03:06

Text VENEZUELA: Release O12 Political Prisoners Petition
15-10-2004 01:46

Text infoshop: A DAY OF PROTEST IN LATIN AMERICA
14-10-2004 04:17

Image brief report on O12-london actions
13-10-2004 21:27 | 2 comments

Text Oct 12th arrests in Venezuela
13-10-2004 18:21 | 6 comments

Text Statue of Critobal Colón toppled in Plaza Venezeula in Caracas today, resulting
13-10-2004 18:11 | 1 comment

Text The struggle of the Venepal workers (Venezuela)
13-10-2004 17:01

Text Venezuela: After the Referendum
13-10-2004 12:42 | 2 comments

Text El Libertario / Venezuela: 9 years, 40 edition
13-10-2004 12:29

Image Cesar Zelada still in jail
08-10-2004 17:17

Text October 12th (Tuesday ESF Week) Pachamerican Day of Action!
08-10-2004 15:41 | 1 comment

Text Cesar Zelada is FREE!
06-10-2004 16:23

Text Some upcomming meetings on venezuela and latin america
01-10-2004 12:00

Text Chavez Announces that Venezuelan State Will Switch to “Free Software”
30-09-2004 00:00

Text Chávez, Blair and a Knife in the Back
27-09-2004 02:28

Text THE REVOLUTION HAS NOW BEEN TELEVISED -review of GWS Venezuela debrief 2004-9-18
23-09-2004 04:20

Image Call to Action for Venezuela and all of Pachamerica - Oct 12th
20-09-2004 14:34 | 7 comments

Text Report on solidarity meeting with Venezuelan Ambassador 2004-9-14
17-09-2004 16:42

Text SAT Venezuela report-back: Oil-workers, the grassroots & the historic referendum
17-09-2004 15:29

Text Venezuela and the "Labour" party: Unions have the Power to Change
15-09-2004 00:12

Text report from Venezuela film screening
13-09-2004 11:32 | 2 comments

Text Los Trabajadores Petroleros, las Bases y el Referéndum Histórico
10-09-2004 14:43

Text The Bolivarian Revolution: ENTER THE OIL WORKERS!
10-09-2004 14:32

Text La Revolución Bolivariana:
10-09-2004 14:28

Text VENEZUELA REPORT-BACK, OIL WORKERS, the GRASSROOTS and the HISTORIC REFERENDUM
10-09-2004 14:21

Text Venezuela report-back: Oil Workers, the Grassroots and the Historic Referendum
08-09-2004 15:47

Text Venezuela after the referendum: Public meeting in Parliament - Tuesday (7th) 7pm
05-09-2004 19:03 | 3 comments

Image What's Really Happening in Venezuela? - Screening Sept 12th
01-09-2004 09:38

Image Chavéz, Chevron and Microsoft
31-08-2004 09:20 | 3 comments

Text Between Venezuela and Nothingland
30-08-2004 13:09 | 2 comments

Image CHEVRONTEXACO ESTA RESTABLECIENDOLA GRAN COLOMBIA”
28-08-2004 15:54

Text The Venezuelan anti-terrorist law penalizes “anarchy” with 1 to 3 years in prison
28-08-2004 15:42 | 7 comments

Text REVOLUTION IN VENEZUELA? YOU MUST HAVING A LARFF!!
28-08-2004 15:29 | 4 comments

Text Venezuela Says Economy to Move Away From Capitalism
28-08-2004 01:41 | 4 comments

Image review of venezuela week of solidarity
25-08-2004 04:07

Text Rock Around The Blockade Press Release, Scotland. Monday 23rd August 2004
24-08-2004 23:23

Text 3 trade union leaders assassinated in Colombia, urgent solidarity needed
24-08-2004 03:50

Text Alo Presidente (Chávez weekly live TV show!), Sunday 22nd August report
24-08-2004 03:43

Text Beyond Populism: Venezuela and the International Left
23-08-2004 23:24

Text International Press Coverage Begins to Change Its Tune on Venezuela
23-08-2004 23:01

Text Venezuela plane crash kills 25
22-08-2004 15:39 | 6 comments

Text Global Must-See TV (venezuelan culture background)
22-08-2004 00:23 | 2 comments

Text Chavez foes threaten Venezuela election boycott
20-08-2004 23:36

Text 15A – Testimonial from the Ground in Venezuela
20-08-2004 21:03

Text SchNEWS: CHIT AND CHAVEZ
20-08-2004 17:11

Text Venezuela's Referendum Should Be a Wake-Up Call for the United States
20-08-2004 02:54

Text U.S. Poll Firm in Hot Water in Venezuela
19-08-2004 06:50 | 1 comment

Text VENEZUELA: Oct-12- Global Day of Action supporting Bolivarian Revolution and Pac
18-08-2004 23:37 | 2 comments

Text What's Pachamerica?...
18-08-2004 23:30

Text Chavez Wins Big and the Opposition Refuses to Recognize the Obvious
18-08-2004 11:45 | 4 comments

Text REVOLUTION WITHIN THE REVOLUTION
18-08-2004 00:21

Text FL Senate Candidate Klayman Calls for US Intervention in Venezuelan Recall Election
17-08-2004 21:48 | 3 comments

Text Chavez — The Revolution Will Not be Televised [p2p]
17-08-2004 08:17 | 2 comments

Text VENEZUELA: Our Votes Are Non-Negotiable
17-08-2004 07:46 | 1 comment

Text Hugo Chavez on Marxism
17-08-2004 05:09 | 3 comments

Text Dick Cheney, Hugo Chavez and Bill Clinton's Band
17-08-2004 03:31 | 1 comment

Text Venezuela: Oiling welfare's wheels
17-08-2004 03:24

Text Chavez Wins Referendum, Vows to Deepen Revolution
17-08-2004 03:06

Text Chavez's victory in Venezuela garners international support
17-08-2004 02:23

Text Venezuela: Hannah Baldock report backup copy
17-08-2004 01:13 | 3 comments

Text Chavez: We will continue unconquered!
17-08-2004 01:04 | 2 comments

Text A historical note on the Venezuelan opposition
17-08-2004 00:33 | 1 comment

Text Venezuela: Damn, no means no!!!
17-08-2004 00:28

Text Observers back Venezuela vote (BBC)
16-08-2004 20:40 | 1 comment

Video Video of celebrations in Caracas
16-08-2004 20:26

Image More on Carter vs Gaviria on accepting Venezuela Chavez win
16-08-2004 18:12 | 1 comment

Text Rumour: Carter and Gaviria of the OAS are fighting
16-08-2004 12:52 | 2 comments

Text Open letter to the 'Independent' newspaper
16-08-2004 11:10 | 1 comment

Text Video.Edinburgh demo in support of the Bolivarian revolution of Venezuela
16-08-2004 10:53

Text Chavez cheated - of course
16-08-2004 10:41 | 3 comments

Text Venezuela's Chavez Wins Recall Vote: CNE Announces Results
16-08-2004 09:46

Text Result of the referendum in Venezuela
16-08-2004 08:34 | 7 comments

Text Reuters: Chavez Wins
16-08-2004 06:30

Text Chavez has won
16-08-2004 05:03

Text For Workers Revolution in Venezuela!
16-08-2004 04:12 | 1 comment

Text preliminary results
16-08-2004 02:19

Image Venezuela : observers in The Hague!
16-08-2004 02:17

Text Independent Lies
16-08-2004 01:56 | 1 comment

Text Referendum Results
16-08-2004 01:37

Text four shooting incidents in Venezuela
16-08-2004 01:06

Image review of CAMCORDER GUERILLAS' Venezuelan event
16-08-2004 00:47

Text report London Venezuela Solidarity demo
15-08-2004 23:32

Text Either one votes for Bush or Chavez
15-08-2004 22:31 | 1 comment

Video Video from London US Embassy hands of venezuela demo
15-08-2004 22:30 | 1 comment

Image Report of Venezuela Solidarity day in Edinburgh with 6 photos
15-08-2004 20:45 | 4 comments

Image Photos from US Embassy demo for Venezuela
15-08-2004 20:19

Text video: witness description of shooting (es)
15-08-2004 20:15 | 2 comments

Text 3:35 Attempts at Election Fraud in Venezuela
15-08-2004 20:07

Text Venezuela Bolivariana: People and Struggle of the Fourth World War
15-08-2004 19:42 | 7 comments

Image Venezuela Solidarity Demonstration at Edinburgh Festival
15-08-2004 17:34 | 4 comments

Video Venezuela Solidarity, indymedia access point, plus party
15-08-2004 13:11 | 4 comments

Video venuzuala solidarity / rampart video
15-08-2004 12:57 | 3 comments

Text Hands Off Venezuela! London demo outside US Embassy today
15-08-2004 05:02

Text Venezuelan opposition intent on disruption
15-08-2004 02:30

XML UK Venezuela Newswire Archive