Social Programs

The Chavez government will launch a new social program, known as the “April 13 Mission,” to help eliminate poverty in Venezuela. The mission will be dedicated towards the improvement of living standards in poor neighborhoods, known as Barrios, and to the strengthening of communal councils.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez announced a new tax on extraordinary oil profits Monday, the revenue of which will help fund the expansion of health care programs known as the Barrio Adentro “missions,” which bring health care to marginalized communities with the help of Cuban doctors.

President Hugo Chávez inaugurated a new social program known as the Dr. José Gregorio Hernandez Mission on Saturday, which focuses exclusively on the health of Venezuelans who have disabilities. The main goal of the Mission is to carry out a nation-wide census of disability needs.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez inaugurated the first stage of a new housing complex, Commune Villa de Sol, in Caracas yesterday. The president was accompanied by British supermodel Naomi Campbell who was in the country to meet with Chavez and to learn about the Bolivarian Revolution.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced a 60% salary increase for doctors in Venezuela's public health sector yesterday and presented more details on government spending on existing and new hospitals.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez inaugurated the construction of six new hospitals across the country on his national TV and radio program Aló Presidente Sunday. Chavez also criticized increased consumption of imported luxury goods.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez inaugurated new initiatives in housing and education this week. As a part of a new government program called Mission Alma Mater, the government opened five new universities and began construction of several others across the country.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez warned parents to not be deceived by media reports about "brainwashing" and explained that the new "Bolivarian" curriculum was designed by education experts, parents, and students, with the intention of strengthening national identity and national values.

With the inauguration of 15 new Bolivarian Schools, President Hugo Chavez kicked off the 2007-2008 school year across the country this week. He announced the new Bolivarian education curriculum to which he said all schools in Venezuela, including private schools, will have to abide.

Venezuelan authorities announced on Thursday to a community assembly in the old penitentiary El Junquito in Catia—a sprawling working class suburb in western Caracas—that the jail will be converted into what will potentially be Venezuela’s first “socialist” university.