Jim McIlroy, Caracas
The spirit of the Bolivarian revolution shone brightly in Plaza Bolivar on May 25 when several hundred people, mainly members of the local Colombian and Peruvian communities, rallied to support progressive candidates in the upcoming elections in their homelands. Chants such as "Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, one struggle against imperialism! Viva Chavez!" were met with loud applause.
The Colombian contingent was campaigning for the Alternative Democratic Pole candidate for president, Carlos Gaviria. They urged Colombian citizens in the audience to vote in the May 28 elections. There are an estimated 6 million Colombian-born residents of Venezuela; many are refugees from the civil war in that country. Unfortunately, many are not registered to vote in Colombia.
Other banners and posters were brought by the strong Peruvian section of the crowd. They distributed a leaflet calling on Peruvians in Venezuela to vote for Ollanta Humala, the UPP candidate for president in the second-round election due on June 4.
The continual link drawn by speakers between the Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela and the struggle for independence and socialism in the other countries of Latin America was a marked feature of the rally. One speaker drew loud cheers and laughter from the audience when he declared, "Chavez for president of all Latin America!"
From Green Left Weekly, May 31, 2006.
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