Chávez and Venezuela deserve the support of all who believe in social justice and democracy
Posted: 2006/05/15
From: Mathaba
George Bush's refusal to respect the choices of the Venezuelan people shows that his administration has no real interest in promoting democracy at all.
By Ken Livingstone
President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela will today become the second head of state - after the Queen - to be welcomed to London's City Hall. When it comes to the social transformation taking place in Venezuela, the political qualifications often necessary in our imperfect world can be set aside. It is crystal clear on which side right and justice lies. For many years people have demanded that social progress and democracy go hand in hand, and that is exactly what is now taking place in Venezuela.
It therefore deserves the unequivocal support of not only every supporter of social progress but every genuine believer in democracy in the world.
Venezuela is a state of huge oil wealth that was hitherto scarcely used to benefit the population. Now, for the first time in a country of over 25 million people, a functioning health service is being built. Seventeen million people have been given access to free healthcare for the first time in their lives. Illiteracy has been eliminated. Fifteen million people have been given access to food, medicines and other essential products at affordable prices. A quarter of a million eye operations have been financed to rescue people from blindness. These are extraordinary practical achievements.
Little wonder, then, that Chávez and his supporters have won 10 elections in eight years. These victories were achieved despite a private media largely controlled by opponents of the government. Yet Chávez's visit has been met with absurd claims from rightwing activists that he is some kind of dictator.
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Ken Livingstone is the mayor of London
mayor@london.gov.uk
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