US Attempts to Demonize and Destabilize Venezuela Will Not Work

The United States has been conducting a strident program of disinformation about Venezuela, all aimed at a repeat performance of their 2002 attempt at a coup against the democratically elected government of Hugo Chavez and Venezuela. Numerous individuals in the employ or service of the US government have been writing articles and false reports stating that President Chavez continues to impose an authoritarian populist political model in Venezuela that undermines democratic institutions.

Contrary of these reports, Venezuela is in the process of extending democracy to all of its people. This includes finding a balance between the state and the market that allows it to guarantee the welfare of the people and to overcome the historical wrongs of poverty and inequality.

Venezuela’s ranking on the UN Human Development Index has risen by 10 positions over the last decade, as levels of poverty have dropped and access to social services have increased. Political participation and consciousness in Venezuela have expanded dramatically over the last decade. These advances have occurred within what is being called, “Socialism of the 21st Century,” a democratic political process centered around fostering the well-being of the people of Venezuela as an alternative to the capitalist model currently enmeshed in the global economic crisis.

Venezuela has been one of the countries least affected by the global economic crisis, which makes one wonder why do they single out Venezuela when in the United States many people have lost their homes and jobs? Unemployment in Venezuela increased by 0.6% last year from 7.4% in 2008 to 8%. This is not a good thing, but relative to other countries, is minor. Venezuela has made tremendous advances in health, education, grassroots democracy, indigenous representation, recuperation of history and culture, and a massive decrease in poverty and extreme poverty. Many new residences have been constructed, with people for the first time finding out what it’s like to have running water, electricity and a telephone.

The propaganda and disinformation also claim that Venezuela has curtailed free expression and opposition activities by shutting down independent news outlets, harassing and detaining protestors, and threatening opposition leaders with criminal charges for corruption.

No independent media outlets have been shut down in Venezuela. However, relevant laws and regulations have been applied to outlets operating in the country, just like in any other democracy. In Venezuela, more than 76 percent of the media on public airwaves is privately owned and operated. Most of these are controlled by the political opposition to the government. Additionally, more than 184 channels broadcast freely through cable networks.

The United States has been conducting a strident program of disinformation about Venezuela, all aimed at a repeat performance of their 2002 attempt at a coup against the democratically elected government of Hugo Chavez and Venezuela. Numerous individuals in the employ or service of the US government have been writing articles and false reports stating that President Chavez continues to impose an authoritarian populist political model in Venezuela that undermines democratic institutions.

Contrary of these reports, Venezuela is in the process of extending democracy to all of its people. This includes finding a balance between the state and the market that allows it to guarantee the welfare of the people and to overcome the historical wrongs of poverty and inequality.

Venezuela’s ranking on the UN Human Development Index has risen by 10 positions over the last decade, as levels of poverty have dropped and access to social services have increased. Political participation and consciousness in Venezuela have expanded dramatically over the last decade. These advances have occurred within what is being called, “Socialism of the 21st Century,” a democratic political process centered around fostering the well-being of the people of Venezuela as an alternative to the capitalist model currently enmeshed in the global economic crisis.

Venezuela has been one of the countries least affected by the global economic crisis, which makes one wonder why do they single out Venezuela when in the United States many people have lost their homes and jobs? Unemployment in Venezuela increased by 0.6% last year from 7.4% in 2008 to 8%. This is not a good thing, but relative to other countries, is minor. Venezuela has made tremendous advances in health, education, grassroots democracy, indigenous representation, recuperation of history and culture, and a massive decrease in poverty and extreme poverty. Many new residences have been constructed, with people for the first time finding out what it’s like to have running water, electricity and a telephone.

The propaganda and disinformation also claim that Venezuela has curtailed free expression and opposition activities by shutting down independent news outlets, harassing and detaining protestors, and threatening opposition leaders with criminal charges for corruption.

No independent media outlets have been shut down in Venezuela. However, relevant laws and regulations have been applied to outlets operating in the country, just like in any other democracy. In Venezuela, more than 76 percent of the media on public airwaves is privately owned and operated. Most of these are controlled by the political opposition to the government. Additionally, more than 184 channels broadcast freely through cable networks.