The Guardian 6 December, 2006
Venezuelan Chargé D'Affaires visits Perth
Richard Titelius
In the lead up to the Presidential elections in Venezuela on December 3, Venezuelan Chargé
d'Affaires in Australia, Nelson Dávila, undertook a series of visits to centres around the
country. He sought to publicise the elections, promote the development of solidarity
networks with the Venezuelan experiment in democracy and provide an opportunity for
people to hear first-hand about the challenges and goals of the Bolivarian Revolution led by
President Hugo Chávez.
By invitation, Mr Dávila addressed a council meeting of Unions WA held in the MUA hall and was
able to give a frank and lucid account of where democracy and trade unionism were heading in his
country. About 60 people attended the lively and informative meeting.
Nelson was struck by the difference between union meetings in Australia and Venezuela. Whereas
in Australian meetings are quite subdued affairs where most matters have already been decided in
advance, in Venezuela, the meetings are well attended and the discussions are lively. Consensus
is often only reached through a vigorous and full bodied debate; a sign of a healthy democratic
institution.
Venezuela under Chávez has begun to improve the health and education and general life
expectations of its people. They have responded by giving their support to the government of Hugo
Chávez and re-electing him in fair and proper democratic elections.
Under Chávez, Dávila pointed out there was no longer an illiteracy problem and, through the Barrio
Adentro and other programs, millions of people have been given access to medical attention that
had not previously been available.
Venezuela's international standing has risen through its financial and political support for freedom
struggles and opposition to the choking hold of US capitalist hegemony on many parts of the
world.
This solidarity was reciprocated recently by other countries with the support which Venezuela
received in its bid for as non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
The US-sponsored nominee of Guatemala was eventually routed and Panama — a compromise
nominee which suited both the supporters of Venezuela and the US — was approved. US influence
in the region and the world is clearly being challenged as many Muslim as well as Latin nations
supported Venezuela.
The US-sponsored myth that Chávez is a dictator and a bully cannot be borne out. Chávez allows
comment and dissent of his government from many sides including from sections of trade unions,
business and the Catholic Church. Some priests use the pulpit to criticise Chávez.
Nelson spoke of similar presentations being made by other representatives around the world to
publicise the upcoming Presidential election in Venezuela and also affording the opportunity for
interested citizens to ask questions and be encouraged to take the example of what Venezuela
was able to achieve, back to their own families and communities.
The inaugural meeting of the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network
has been called for Thursday December 14 at 6.30pm
at Unions WA 79 Stirling Street Perth,
at which a participant in the 2006 Presidential Elections Brigade to Venezuela
will give a report-back.