Stuart Munckton
Venezuela's socialist president Hugo Chavez has sacked three government ministers, according to a February 21 Venezuelanalysis.com report, in response to irregularities and problems relating to food production and distribution. Those sacked were land and agriculture minister Antonio Albarran, food minister Rafael Oropeza and light industry and commerce minister Edmee Betancourt.
The sackings come as many popular organisations, and Chavez himself, highlight corruption and the inefficiency of state bureaucracies as major problems facing the Bolivarian revolution. The government has put the issue of food at the centre of the revolution. Venezuela imports up to 70% of its food and the government aims to overcome this by developing the agricultural industry to become self-sufficient. A key part of this program is the redistribution of fertile land left idle by large landowners or the state to previously landless peasants to run as cooperatives. The government also distributes basic food goods via the state-run Mercal supermarket chains at heavily discounted prices in the poor neighbourhoods.
While the government is making gains in this area, there have been many problems. Venezuelanalysis.com reports that Albarran's time as agricultural minister was tainted by corruption scandals as well as protests by farmers unhappy with government food policy and the bureaucratic handling of land reform. Vheadline.com reported on February 9 that Chavez appointed a new head of the National Land Institute in Zulia, an opposition-controlled state where land reform has made little headway.
It is believed that Oropeza was sacked over corruption in the Mercal supermarket chain. Although Mission Mercal, as the program of distribution of cheap food is known, is one of the biggest success stories of the revolution, it has nonetheless been tainted by corruption allegations. Betancourt is believed to have been sacked in relation to a dispute with coffee growers earlier this year, which led to a shortage of coffee and other basic goods.
The moves are a sign that the government is responding to popular pressure to deal with the shortcomings of the revolutionary process. In a speech to a mass demonstration in support of the revolution on February 4, Chavez announced a new offensive against corruption. The willingness to remove officials for failing in their positions is a sign that Chavez is attempting to make this offensive a reality.
From Green Left Weekly, March 8, 2006.
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