20th December 2006

While the fascist First Justice Party is slugging it out (literally) in their swish headquarters in the municipality of Chacao - probably the most prosperous in Latin America – in Caracas to decide on whether to have internal democratic elections, we are pleased to present a micro of all 46 marches held by Chavez during the 2006 presidential election campaign.

Even though most readers will not pick up the Spanish commentary, this compilation of Chavez marches will give everyone a taste of what election campaigning is like in Venezuela, with Chavez being able to “move masses” into the streets.

It’s interesting to note that two of the final marches were held in the states of Amazonas and Delta Amacuro, where most of the population is indigenous. In these two states Chavez share of the votes cast was around 78%. This simply goes to prove that when communities living in misery for centuries suddenly have health care, education, access to drinking water and their historical lands returned to them that “love is repaid with love” (Amor con amor se paga – José Martí) as flashes on the screen in the final moments of the video.

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Caracas, November 1st 2006. In an impressive human wave the residents of Petare in Sucre municipality from Miranda state, one of most populous in the country, accompanied presidential candidate Hugo Chávez Frías in a huge demonstration filled with joy which will pass into the political annals of the country. As usual, the private media did not show any of this event since it really put the weak Rosales campaign and mobilizations into perspective.

The population of this municipality is more than 1 million inhabitants and represents more than 60% of voters on the electoral register in the state of Miranda. Petare, as in other parts of the capital such as Catia, El Valle, Coche and 23rd January, is clear evidence of the power Chávez has to mobilize the masses and is a sign of the level of popular acceptance he enjoys.

The impressive images broadcast by Venezuelan State Television (VTV) show the people in motion, full of emotion and with hardly room enough to salute the presidential candidate.

The historical sector called the “great wall of Petare” opposite the Francisco de Miranda Avenue, was crowded with young people, old people, men and women and even children, waving banners, hands in the air, dancing and taking photos.

Down the road, near the Petare main square, and even further on towards the humble dwellings which skirt the sector, Venezuelan men and women irradiated the popular feelings towards the leader of the Bolivarian Revolution, on stairs, roofs, windows, terraces and the street. The people of Petare expressed their emotions and gave their opinions to the VTV cameras about the revolutionary leader who changed their lives.

The images of popular euphoria in Petare will remain as an incomparable historical moment in national political parties. It is living proof of the spectacular support which humble Venezuelans have for a president with more than seven years in power and who is aspiring to continue governing by winning the elections in December.

Original link: http://www.aporrea.org/actualidad/n85919.html

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Solidarity Tours Video Clips
June 2006

(WMV Files)

A special report by independent journalist Greg Palast

The report offers a never-before-seen interview with Chavez, insight into Chavez’s relationship with the U.S. as well as Chavez’s plans for Venezuela, perspectives from opposition party members and raw footage from the slums of Caracas.

Runtime 30 Minutes