/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) joins the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Bolivarian Revolution, marked by the presidential inauguration of Hugo Chavez on 2 February 1999.

The SACP pays special tribute to the late Comrade Hugo Chavez, who spearheaded the revolution until he passed away. The revolution, which is named after Simón Bolívar, was inspired by his relentless and brave struggles against colonialism in Latin America.

The Bolivarian Revolution has been a source of pride for the people of Venezuela, and a source of inspiration for many across the world with regard to the strategy and tactics towards building a truly sovereign state. Until the Bolivarian Revolution took root, the people of Venezuela had been treated as nothing but vassals in their own country by imperialist, formerly colonial, forces chiefly led by the United States under the draconian Monroe Doctrine. 

The Bolivarian Revolution fostered unity among the people of Venezuela towards closing ranks and building their country based on self-sustenance. The Revolution further helped to conscientise the people on the need for true national sovereignty based on the right to self-determination.

We commend the people of Venezuela, who have, for at least 25 years, while seeking to improve their lives, resisted foreign, particularly imperialist, aggression by the United States led imperialist forces. Due to the Bolivarian Revolution, the health and education standards in Venezuela improved, something that colonial forces failed to achieve, and in fact sought to suppress. 

Despite consistent attacks by the United States led imperialist forces, the people of Venezuela have been able to steady the revolutionary ship forward. The SACP commends the Venezuelan people for standing strong against imperialist interference in their sovereign affairs, and choosing to resolve their own matters free from foreign control.

Venezuela, home to the world’s largest known oil reserves, is under unilateral and extortionist sanctions imposed by the imperialist regime of the United States. Mostly supported by its Western European imperialist allies, the United States manipulates international oil prices through its unilateral sanctions, not only against Venezuela but other major oil producing countries. The unilateral sanctions also undermine the United Nations’ multilateral and legal frameworks and are illegal and among the major drivers of the global cost of living crisis. This crisis severely impacts oil and oil byproduct import-dependent countries like South Africa.

To bring down the cost of living in our country, considering oil and oil byproducts like petrol and diesel as critical inputs in industrial production, agriculture and transportation, the SACP is still driving its efforts for the South African government to source the oil that Venezuela has made available on mutually beneficial solidarity grounds.

We call for working-class unity both in Venezuela and across the world towards a socialist transition from capitalist barbarity, exploitation, imperialism and other forms of oppression. The SACP will continue to stand in solidarity with Venezuela’s progressive trade union and socialist movements, including the Communist Party of Venezuela, as well as all efforts to unite the Venezuelan working-class towards socialism.

Issued by SACP