Pacha Guzman, a leading activist with the Venezuelan-based Ezequiel Zamora National Campesino Front (FNCEZ), is touring Australia in March. Guzman will be visiting various cities where she will address public forums and meet with trade unions, politicians and solidarity organisations.
The FNCEZ is Venezuela鈥檚 largest peasant-based organisation and a member of La Via Campesina and the Latin American Coordinator of Campesino Organisations.
The situation was bleak for Venezuela鈥檚 pro-poor Bolivarian Revolution in the first half of last year.
With a dire economic situation and a growing wave of violent opposition protests, President Nicolas Maduro turned the tables by convening a National Constituent Assembly (ANC) in July.
Venezuelan workers鈥 organisations have denounced illegal arrests, firings聽and persecution in the Lacteos Los Andes state-run dairy company and private Venevision TV station. Meanwhile,聽campesino (peasant) leaders in Barinas state were freed and authorised to return to their land after persecution by an ex-land owner.
With the National Electoral Council setting April 22 as the date for the country鈥檚 presidential election and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) confirming current president Nicolas Maduro as their candidate, leftist organisations in Venezuela have been debating what position to take.
As Venezuelans get ready for April鈥檚 presidential election, US Senator Marco Rubio claimed via Twitter the world would support Venezuela鈥檚 military if it decided to orchestrate a coup against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is up for re-election.
The Republican lawmaker from Florida tweeted on February 9: 鈥淭he world would support the Armed Forces in if they decide to protect the people & restore democracy by removing a dictator.鈥
Venezuela's presidential elections have been set for April 22 as talks between the government and opposition aimed at promoting peace and unity appeared to crumble.
US Secretary of State and former CEO of oil giant Exxon Mobil Rex Tillerson has threatened Venezuela with a ban on oil exports, only days after hinting that the country鈥檚 president, Nicolas Maduro, could be overthrown by a military uprising.
Describing Venezuela鈥檚 armed forces as a possible 鈥渁gent of change鈥, Tillerson suggested on February 1 that the military could 鈥渕anage a peaceful transition鈥 should they remove聽Maduro from office.
Venezuela鈥檚 National Constituent Assembly (ANC) has approved a proposal to hold presidential elections before聽April 30.聽
The move came a day after the European Union announced sanctions targeting seven Venezuelan senior state officials on January 22.
Venezuela has hit back at the United States after it issued fresh threats to impose new sanctions against Venezuelan officials while attempting to derail the dialogue between Venezuela鈥檚 government and opposition.
Venezuela鈥檚 socialists scored聽an overwhelming victory in mayoral elections on December 10, taking over 90%聽of the country's municipalities.聽
President Nicolas Maduro鈥檚 United Venezuelan Socialist Party (PSUV), along with its allies, have secured victory in 308 of Venezuela鈥檚 335 municipalities. According to preliminary results, the governing socialist party managed to take 21 out of the country鈥檚 23 state capitals as well as the Caracas Capital District.
In view聽of the December 10 municipal elections, communards and revolutionary activists closely associated with some of the most important initiatives in communal organisation in the country have been put forward as candidates for mayor.
Although we cannot say this is a mass phenomenon, it is undoubtedly a deeply significant event for various reasons.
Venezuela鈥檚 National Constituent Assembly (ANC) has denied permission to one of its grassroots delegates to stand as a mayoral candidate in聽the upcoming December 10 municipal elections.
Angel Prado was elected to the ANC on July 30 as a territorial delegate for his聽municipality of Simon Planas. Prado is also a leading member of the El Maizal commune in Lara state.