Corruption, hording of consumer goods and food by distributors - reported as shortages here but experienced as long lines and empty shelves there - plague poor and low income communities across Venezuela. Two million socialist party voters didn't bother to vote; why? And in the aftermath of the massive defeat for the PSUV what direction will Venezuela take? The US financed opposition has committed violence and decapitation in the streets in the past and now has its hands in control of the national legislature.
Can they reverse the socialist revolution in Venezuela? Can they topple Maduro by instigating a coup?
These questions are addresed in the Q&A.
Stan Smith, Chicago ALBA Solidarity Committee activist , reports on his observations during the December 6th , 2015 elections in Venezuela that gave the "opposition" a stunning victory and control of the National Assembly; or was it?
Stan Smith traveled beyond Caracas following the election and recounts conversations with people, exasperated by food shortages, corruption and inflation that the Maduro government had been ineffective in checking. Though there is no widespread hunger or the deep poverty, that existed in the former neoliberal "democracy" favored by US corporations and the wealthy of Venezuela, million of voters failed to participate or intentionally spoiled their ballot.
Stan fills in the details absent from US corporate reporting which supported the failed April 12, 2002 coup detat against President Chavez and is complicit in the continuing US campaign to reverse the gains of Socialism
Jesús RodrÃguez-Espinoza, Cónsul General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Chicago contributes to some of the Q & A .
Stan Smith, Chicago ALBA Solidarity Committee 773-322-3168 ChicagoALBASolidarity@gmail.com
Mr. Rodriguez-Espinoza is a specialist in international relations, graduated from the Central University of Venezuela in 1996 with a specification in international economic law and an associate degree in Foreign Trade.