On #6Dec, 1998, Hugo Chávez was first elected Venezuela’s president, ending 40 years of a corrupt two-party system known as puntofijismo. The bipartisanship squandered the country's vast oil wealth, condemning people to poverty.
Chávez’ victory opened a new era 🧵
Chávez’ victory opened a new era 🧵
“The people united will never be defeated!” This is how Venezuelans celebrated Chávez’ victory. He got the largest percentage of the popular vote in four decades.
The streets were electrified. History was being written, revolution was in the air.
📹Video from 1998👇
The streets were electrified. History was being written, revolution was in the air.
📹Video from 1998👇
After taking office in Feb 1999, Chavez declared a “social emergency” to lift 78% of Venezuelans out of poverty. He launched Plan Bolivar 2000, a program to rebuild the country’s crumbling infrastructure, provide mass vaccination, free healthcare and subsidized food for the poor.
Chávez brought deep democratic transformation. In Dec 1999, for the first time in Venezuelan history, a new constitution was approved by popular vote. The text gave rights to indigenous people, guaranteed free education/healthcare, participatory democracy and popular sovereignty.
In May 1999, Chávez set up “Aló Presidente,” a revolutionary broadcast that allowed him to communicate directly with people from all over the country, the poor and working-class above all, taking note of their proposals. This would shape his vision of Venezuelan socialism.
Chávez' first years were tumultuous, with rancid political/economic elites waging war to preserve their privileges. The 2001 Land Law and Hydrocarbons Law that redistributed wealth led to the 2002 coup attempt and the oil industry lockdown. However, the revolution was unstoppable
In 2003, Chávez launched the Bolivarian Missions, wide-ranging social programs that continue today. They provided healthcare, education, housing, subsidized food and more to Venezuela’s poor/working-class. In no time, illiteracy was eradicated and poverty levels cut in half.
The following years would see Chávez and the Bolivarian Process triumph in electoral battles and against non-stop imperialist aggression. Social justice, Latin American integration and national sovereignty were key.
Today, the Bolivarian grassroots carry Chávez’s project.
Today, the Bolivarian grassroots carry Chávez’s project.
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