From the point of view of the Democratic Socialist Party, the Communist Party of Australia and a large section of the Australian left without political affiliations, Chavez is a revolutionary hero. On the whole they acknowledge that Venezuela is still capitalist. Sure he is doing much in favour of working people and against the imperialists. An important example of this is the nationalization of the oil industry. But the decisive issue is which side is he on!
Internationally, Chavez is a friend of Castro and he has taken some anti-imperialist stands. One example where he didn�t though was in the case of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon to fight Hezbollah. Militarily, all decent revolutionaries were unconditionally on the side of Hezbollah in their military struggle. Chavez remained silent. Effectively this means that he sold out. We do not consider this to be some sort of isolated mistake. We think this is a reflection of his regime.
Also a reflection on his regime is its response to the Sanitarious Maracay workers who have occupied their factory under workers control for five months. These workers have been met with state repression. Whilst on their way to a rally organized by FRETECO, in defense of workers control in factories expropriated by the Chavez government, they were stopped by police of Aragua state. The police were following orders of the state governor Didalco Bolivar. Troops of the National Guard joined in, using buckshot against the workers. Fourteen workers were wounded.
These attacks show graphically that the role of the state in Venezuela is the same as everywhere � to attack the working class.
Chavez would no doubt denounce this as the work of counter-revolutionary sections of the state apparatus. Well perhaps so! But Chavez is a captive of these forces. Why doesn�t he jail these potentially murderous cops and troops? Because the state apparatus will turn on him! He uses the term �revolution� loosely. In reality he has no serious perspective of smashing the Venezuelan state and mobilizing workers and peasants for soviet power. That is what is required.
We urge workers throughout the world to come to the defense of these workers. Their factory must be expropriated!
In Venezuela, a revolutionary leadership must be built which must go all the way. That is, it must smash the state, whether led by Chavez or otherwise, and expropriate the bourgeoisie.
No doubt reaction is preparing to mobilise against Chavez and overthrow him as they did to Allende.