Venezuela: Revolution and Crisis

For over a decade Venezuela’s revolution lifted millions out of poverty, raised healthcare levels dramatically and achieved universal literacy by using the nation’s oil wealth for the benefit of those at the bottom of society. From the beginning the country’s oligarchy, backed by the U.S., vehemently opposed this popular revolution, even attempting a coup in 2002. But after oil prices dropped drastically and Hugo Chavez died, the country slid into economic and political crisis. Now our media tells us of the mass demonstrations against the government, failing to cover the mass demonstrations supporting the government. Just weeks ago, some 8 million voters came out to elect members to a new Constituent Assembly. As this class war intensifies, the Trump administration opposed this election, calling for regime change and imposed sanctions, while threatening worse.

Atahualpa Caldera and Cliff DuRand of the Center for Global Justice will screen recent reports on these unfolding events, leading a discussion to try to make sense of these developments.