Op-Ed: Venezuela and the Wonders of Equality

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Chávez, who has a history of keeping his campaign promises, has followed the principles as laid down by Simón Bolívar in the 19th century. Gabriel Furshong (London-based officer of Justice for Colombia) visited working class Venezuelan Missions, i.e., social nucleus developments around neighborhoods, in areas where the government has established ambitious social programs focused on education, vocational training, nutrition and health. According to Furshong, “They are the most visibly impressive examples of progress in a country full of contradictions.” He visited a shoe factory and a textile factory both of which are cooperatives and operate with remarkable efficiency. He spent time at an organic agricultural project that is utilized for both practical and educational purposes and a free clinic staffed by Cuban doctors, providing free health care to thousands, “many of whom never previously saw a doctor,” according to Professor Wilfredo Roche, director of the project.

According to Arturo Contreras, an activist working with the Bolivarian Circles, “The gap between the rich and poor has bridged; we are now the most equal country in Latin America” (Class War Polarizes Venezuela’s Vote, Al Jazeera, Oct. 7, 2012); furthermore, based upon reports from the World Bank and the UN, poverty and inequality have dropped sharply during Chávez’s regime. Contreras claims, “Chávez showed people that the rich enjoyed all the benefits at the expense of the poor.”

According to the Western press, Chávez and his genre, like President Evo Morales of Bolivia, are wild-eyed socialist who only see red (which happens to be Chávez’s favorite colour), and they prey upon the past success of the upper classes. Newsweek (which periodical appears to be in the pocket of U.S. anti-Chávez newsleaks) has been especially effective at lobbing barbs at Chávez, e.g., recently Newsweek (October 2012) started a rumor that Chávez faked his cancer to win the sympathies of the voters. In contrast, The Center for Economic and Policy Research, Washington, D.C. claims Newsweek only reports negatives about Venezuela: “Newsweek has never reported the Venezuelan government’s slashing poverty in half, cutting extreme poverty by 70 percent, or even Venezuela’s strong economic growth once the government got control over the oil sector.”

Western economists continually predict the demise of Venezuela’s economy, but: “The predictions of economic collapse, balance of payments or debt crises and other gloomy prognostications, as well as many economic forecasts along the way, have repeatedly proven wrong,” Venezuela’s Economic Recovery: Is It Sustainable? Mark Weisbrot and Jake Johnston, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Washington, D.C., Sept. 2012, “We find that Venezuela’s current economic growth is sustainable and could continue at the current pace or higher for many years.