Translated "Avante!" article by Luis Carapinha, Member of the PCP International Department
Hugo Chavez’ legacy is entirely appropriate to be remembered, a year upon his death. In the Venezuelan communists’ words, the Venezuela Bolivarian Revolution leader was an “ decisive factor in the development of the anti-imperialist large patriotic unity”; he played “ an outstanding role in the establishment of a more favourable international new context (…), contributing for the progressive changes impulse amid the world-wide force correlation ”; and was “ a key -ally, who collaborated with the claim banners of the struggle towards socialism, throughout the world” (VCP’s CC, 2013.03.06). Chavez “ shall remain in our homeland’s imaginary collective memories, as an example of staunchness, devotion, courage and revolutionary greatness”, ( in the VCP’s Political Bureau, 2013.03.05).
Chavez, a military career man, had the great merit of being able to open up the rebel and subversive movement’s walls within the Venezuelan range of popular, progressive and revolutionary demands, towards a social and liberator powerful movement, being one of its organizers since the 80’s. A feature which marked the Venezuelan policy troubled path, in the last two decades and defines the Bolivarian process’ current stage and its liberating and anti-imperialist nature. In its essence, one is before a complex accumulation of patriotic and revolutionary forces’ process which - notwithstanding difficulties and internal contradictions - it is unstoppable, having as basic stone foundations the “ civic-military alliance” and the wide political and social forces’ front, joined in the Great Patriotic Pole, holding the VUSP - founded by Chávez and the VCP.
Chávez premature disappearance, represents a though coup and challenge for the revolutionary process. In and outside the country, the enemy took the opportunity of proceeding to come to final terms, with a process which jeopardizes the absolute hegemony of Latin America’s dominant system and represents an intolerable current-account example for the world. During the last weeks and months, one has assisted to the development of an authenticable economic war against the Bolivarian revolution and Venezuela’s sovereignty itself. The intents and threats coming from Fascist nature minority groups multiply, orchestrated by Washington in order to push forward the South-American country unto general violence. All tempered by an intoxication and misinformation massive operation amid the world-wide media.
All this is not surprising. The great bourgeoisie and imperialism try, at all cost, to divulge destabilization and hinder the economic crucial changes deepening, presented by president Maduro’s administration, with great investments in agriculture production development and industrialization. Its objective is to liquidate the Bolivarian Revolution.
Notwithstanding the difficulties and before the adversity framework, Chávez and the Bolivarian movement’s thought and practise guide-line principles, along the path that brought him to power and the 14 years as the Bolivarian revolution leader, are not but alive in the popular collective memory, as they are inseparably linked to the current tasks and struggles round both the defence and the necessary deepening of the process’s achievements. By keeping the Bolivarian forces’ principles and unity and the working masses support and determination, carrying on to forge the great changes’ material forces as an objective, the Bolivarian revolution will certainly be able to overpass the difficulties and defeat reaction forces. “ Chávez is multiplied per millions” is not a mere slogan, but instead, an effective reality within this struggle, which results, at the mass conscience and organic levels, are necessary to carry on to channel in that direction.
