Across Latin America the winds of change are blowing - and nowhere is this phenomenon more evident than in Venezuela. After decades of harsh economic policies and poverty on the rise, people across the hemisphere are electing leaders to take them in a new direction. Social movements are clamoring for social justice and people's rights - including the right to share in the natural wealth of the nation. In Venezuela these movements came to the forefront and elected Hugo Chávez President in 1998. But much turmoil has unfolded since then.
At the crossroads of the Andean mountains, the Caribbean, and the Amazon, Venezuela boasts incredible natural diversity and beauty. It also holds the largest reserve of oil outside of the Middle East. Could Venezuela—third largest exporter of oil to the United States—wind up in the crosshairs because of the Bush administration's animosity to President Hugo Chávez?
Chávez is popular among Venezuela's poor because of his social justice programs that benefit those traditionally left out of the nation's oil profit windfalls. His agenda includes fighting corruption, redistributing national wealth, and opposing the Free Trade Area of the Americas. The new vision is guided by Simón Bolívar's dream - unifying the Latin American continent as a regional power.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise that the Chávez government has sparked determined opposition from the middle and upper classes, along with the US government. In April 2002, the Venezuelan Chamber of Commerce and the oil workers' union organized a strike that, with support from elements in the military, turned into an illegal coup. The opposition media played a large role in advocating and supporting the coup. Washington applauded the coup; poor Venezuelans did not. They poured into the streets and reinstated the constitutional government. In May 2003, the Chávez government and opposition leaders negotiated a historic agreement in which the opposition promised to stop illegal coup attempts and Chávez agreed let a referendum on his presidency move forward, provided the legal process is followed.
We invite you to travel to Venezuela with Global Exchange to explore recent events and the future of the nation. Global Exchange Reality Tour participants will be in place to examine the political, social, and media environment of Venezuela during this historic moment in Latin American politics. We have an extensive network of contacts with human rights activists, environmentalists, government and opposition figures, labor unions, community groups, journalists and social commentators from a wide variety of sectors. It is a moment that will determine the future not only of Venezuela, but the future direction of Latin American electoral democracy.
Program Highlights:
- *You will be in Venezuela during the vote to recall President Hugo Chavez, while both pro- and anti-Chavez groups march in the streets in solidarity and demonstrate the high level of political participation of the Venezuelan people.
- *Visit one of the Circulos Bolivarianos that have become the centers of grass roots community organizing and defense of the democratic process.
- * Meet with independent and opposition journalists and immerse yourself the in the issues surrounding media coverage and freedom of press.
- * Learn about the oil industry-Venezuela's key source of national income-by meeting with key oil industry representatives and trade unionists.
- * Meet representatives of both the government and opposition political parties and delve into the electoral and constitutional controversies.
- * Find out about new programs for women under the new constitution, and perspectives of indigenous peoples and people of African descent in Venezuela.
- * Visit sites of the Literacy Campaign and learn about its successes and challenges.
- * * Meet with representatives of the Ministry of Production and Commerce who are part of the negotiations with the Free Trade Area of the Americas.
- * Cultural activities to learn about the diversity of Venezuelan life, at the crossroads of the Caribbean, the Andes, and the Amazon.
- * Extend your stay in Venezuela and visit the beautiful archipelago of Los Roques north of Caracas, or the world's highest waterfall, the Salto Angel, in a spectacular natural setting.
Cost: $1150
Price Includes:
- Double-room accommodations; two meals per day; transportation to and from all programmed activities; guides and translators; a qualified trip leader; all program activities; and reading materials.
- * International airfare, lunches, airport departure taxes, tips, and personal expenses are not included.
- * Single rooms are available for an additional $200.
How to Register:
We must receive your application and a non-refundable deposit of $200 two months before departure. A late fee of $50 will be applied to late applications. Payments by Mastercard or Visa are welcome.This trip will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences. We strongly urge people of color to apply. In some cases, a limited number of partial scholarships are available for low-income applicants.
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