The bloc’s manifesto proposes “a path of balance between post-Chavista and post-anti-Chavista freedom and justice”
A group of leaders of the political left, former ministers, and former officials of the government of President Hugo Chávez called on the people to come together for the recovery of democracy and the rule of law.
Members of community councils, PSUV militants, and well-known figures of Hugo Chávez’s government, including the former governor of Portuguesa, Antonia Muñoz, and the former minister of tourism Andrés Izarra, signed a manifesto entitled “Let’s fight for life.”
“We will deploy ourselves throughout the country and the world with a proposal for a struggle based on the reconquest of democracy and the constitution, forgiveness, reconciliation, respect for the adversary, dialogue, honest and liberating work that will produce prosperity for the majority, which will allow us to overcome fear and hatred. We propose a path of balance between post-Chavista and post-anti-Chavista freedom and justice”, they affirmed.
This is the full content of the document:
1-. The current crisis means death.
The political, moral, economic, and social crisis in Venezuela has pushed the vast majority of our people to the limit of subsistence, displaced them from their country to support their families, and condemned thousands to a slow death. The crisis of domestic gas, drinking water, and fuel paralyzes the lives and economy of millions. However, this is difficult to understand for those who have food on their tables, and access to healthcare and public services, as they do not experience this crisis.
On the other hand, the partition of the State under the form of a coalition brings as a consequence the progressive disappearance of the rule of law, the institutions, and governance amid the interests and fiefdoms of each governing sector. This is the death of the Republic.
Another consequence of the current crisis is the destruction of the social fabric woven over the years, which used to guarantee the exercise of the people’s sovereignty and the preservation of social conquests: The worst thing is that, amid the dramatic situation experienced by the Venezuelan people, the future has become uncertain, or simply non-existent, thus making people lose hope and trust in the country. We must stop the death of Venezuelans and the Republic. We insist, regardless of the political group to which we belong, we cannot claim to be politicians without putting life at the center of the debate. It is for life that we fight.
2-. A revolution is meant for a better life.
Dreams of changing the reality of injustice, poverty, and authoritarianism will always be the engine for great social transformations. Revolutions, motivated by the desire for justice and social equity, seek a change in the lives of the majority and this is where their legitimacy lies since they are carried out so that we all live better. If the balance after years in power, wrong policies, internal decomposition, and inefficiency, is the deterioration of the lives of millions, not as a result of isolated and temporary aggression (war, for example) but as the result of a lingering structural crisis and mistakes that have not been corrected or even acknowledged, then that revolution ceased to be so and defending the state of affairs becomes an act of conservative and reactionary politics.
3-. We got here because of bipolar politics
If we have learned something as humanity after so many wars and massacres, it is that nothing justifies the extermination of the adversary. That logic, typical of fascist regimes, which considers the elimination of the opponent as the solution to all problems, has led humanity to the worst crimes in history. Dividing society into good and bad, black and white, patriots and traitors, has only led to genocides. Hate crimes have always been preceded by hate speech.
Polarization and binary (pre) politics, not only makes it impossible to recognize the adversary from an objective point of view but prevents us from recognizing our own mistakes and, therefore, impairs our management capacity, immersing ourselves in a double negation, both of the opponent and ourselves. In the long run, we destroy the capacities that, as a society, we have built together, either because of the trench warfare to which polarization leads, or because of the inability to recognize and, therefore, rectify. The policy of polarization is a dead-end that only leads to mutual destruction after long attrition.
4-. Hate and fear will never be constructive
Seeing the world as two poles creates enormous frustration and despair, feelings that tend to slide down the easy path and make us look for everything wrong in the adversary, leading to irrational hatred that further drowns us as a nation. Hatred is in itself a destructive and self-destructive feeling. Hatred does not allow us to think or perceive reality as it is, with the nuances, mistakes, and achievements from each side. Hatred has a brother feeling that is fear because we have demonized the adversary and we have made him responsible for all evils. Then we fear the existence of the adversary and his power to control us and being a belligerent counterpart.
However, fear is not only created by our own minds but also finds tangible justifications in repression, persecution, and violence; in the rhetoric of hatred and resentment and the violence that polarization sowed in each side for years.
The People fear losing access to public food programs; the military fear being imprisoned and tortured for voicing out any criticism; politicians in the opposition fear that they or their families will be persecuted for standing up for their ideas, and those who govern fear losing power and becoming the victims of anti-Chavez revenge. Thus, fear becomes a conservative sentiment that slows down the necessary transformation that we all know Venezuela needs. We need leaders with courage and wisdom to stop this vicious cycle of hatred and fear.
5. There is no way out under this political logic
Under the bipolar (pre) political logic of sacrificing everything in exchange for power, there will be no way out of the tragedy because those who govern outside the constitution will not leave power unless they decide to do it; because those who oppose the government, with great international support, will not stop doing so; because the way out of this economic and social crisis calls for international and multilateral financial support, which requires a national political agreement. If the violation of human rights and the Constitution does not come to a stop, if the sanctions are not lifted, if the lack of recognition of the adversary does not stop, everything will continue to get worse. For this reason, only through respectful and sincere dialogue will it be possible to advance in agreements that dismantle bipolar politics and build a responsible political life.
6-. Human rights violations are the greatest proof of the Government’s lack of success
Whenever a government loses legitimacy and popular support, it may be tempted to resort to dangerous tactics in order to stay in power at all costs. This can involve cheating and violating the laws, creating fear in the people, and the typical move of emprisoning its opponents and locking them up for years without a trial, in violation of due process and the right to legitimate defense, or, in some cases, going as far as torture. It is not possible in a “participatory and protagonist democracy” to make use of such practices of harassment and terror to cling to power. This highlights the [Government’s] failure to pose as a political option for change, and build the image of a conservative and reactionary force. No one who claims to be a revolutionary can justify under any circumstance the confiscation of the sovereignty of the people, not to mention the practice of torture. A revolutionary is a militant of change, justice, and sovereignty.
7-. We need to return to the Constitution
Our Constitution was presented and defended by the Chavista forces. Back then, in 2006, it was also defended by the opposition. This makes it the Constitution of all Venezuelans. We can all meet there. The solution to the crisis begins by returning to the Constitution and the rule of law.
8-. We must respect and recognize each other
The first step to dismantle bipolar (pre) politics is to respect and recognize each other as equals before the law but different in ideas, convictions, and projects. This is the most basic condition to rebuild our society, accept each other, and understand that we must respect each other. We have profound differences and we will probably continue to have them, but we must accept each other’s existence, respect the right of the other to formulate their criticisms, express their vision, and fight for them. That is what the law is for.
9-. The “All or nothing” strategy must be overcome.
Until now, most of the opposition parties have adopted the strategy of “all or nothing”. Even on the occasions when they have formulated responsible strategies, they end up deviating and destroying any advance. The seriousness of the crisis in Venezuela demands to understand that, just like in war, some issues of mutual interest must be progressively addressed. Right now, the pandemic, hunger, fuel shortages, public services deficiencies, and low wages are some of the urgent issues that cannot wait for a comprehensive resolution of the crisis. It is also time to recognize, after so many years of destructive polarization, that neither side will crush the other, so we need to take the path of dialogue and political agreement.
We need to build mutual trust, and this can be achieved by progressively advancing in partial agreements that allow us to build common spaces of understanding, respect, and hope. The most advanced sectors (moderate and responsible actors) on both sides must have the courage to rectify, recognize the adversary, and find common objectives and ways to achieve them together while defeating the extremist thesis of the extermination of the opposite or the “all or nothing” mindset. The most respectable, moderate, and responsible men and women must take a step forward to show the warring sides the need to recover rationality and a sense of historical responsibility that could stop the death of the nation. That is why the democratic forces need to assume a new strategy of building up their strengths, which starts with the construction and strengthening of an inclusive social fabric (hand in hand with the people and from their suffering), that allows a glimpse into a future country of opportunities. For their part, the forces in the government must fight the internal battle to stop the extremist actors who insist on exercising power by turning the country into a barracks and a prison.
10-. The people must recover and exercise their sovereignty
We propose giving back sovereignty to the people. Our nation cannot be guided by the authoritarian decisions of a ruling elite or foreign powers. The people must be able to decide on the course of the nation, especially in such difficult and controversial moments. The Constitution is very clear in stating that major decisions must be in the hands of Venezuelan society. Therefore, the first step is to regain our ability to elect under transparent, free, and competitive conditions. If we really want to solve this crisis, let us step forward, without blackmail, extortion, or calculations; let us leave the decisions in the hands of the people.
11-. We reject the sanctions on the Republic
We reject the implementation of a sanctions regime against the nation, the institutions, and the state oil company PDVSA since they affect the country’s economy and worsen the crisis. Although the crisis did not begin with the sanctions, they deepen the national inability to solve the economic disaster in which we find ourselves. Even more, they increase the indifference of the Venezuelan people toward the struggle for a democratic change, subjecting them to greater subordination to black markets controlled by mafia groups with links with the government, which do not benefit from a democratic political transition. Far from promoting democratic, peaceful, constitutional, and electoral solutions, the sanctions against the nation increase the power of those who advocate the national destruction and the destruction of the social and productive fabric.
12-. Let’s save the Republic
The economic destruction has brought the decrease of the constitutional financial allocations that the central Government sends to the provinces and, with this, the weakening of the functional relations between the different states and territories of the nation. The increase in illegal economic structures (drug trafficking and the illegal trade of fuel, gold, or diamonds) has encouraged the creation of paramilitary armed groups in defense of these business territories. Apure, the Orinoco Mining Arc, Cota 905, the Aragua gang, the border areas, Güiria, among others, are clear examples of territories controlled by these paramilitary groups linked to illicit businesses. If we follow this path, not only the rule of law will be at risk, but also the territorial integrity itself.
13-. Prisoners of conscience
An important step to begin the process of understanding and recognizing each other is the release of all prisoners of conscience and the dismissal of all their causes for political reasons. The arbitrary detention, torture, and isolation of people who criticize, oppose the government, or publish uncomfortable information on social media cannot continue. The whole planet is watching and documenting the situation, and the damage caused to the victims and their families and friends builds up hatred and resentment that is difficult to overcome. There is no way to lift the sanctions as long as these human rights violations continue, given the significance of this topic in the western world. Stopping this ignominy is the first step in unlocking the game.
Furthermore, no society can think of solving its problems by caging the people and preventing them from speaking or writing. This throwback to medieval times must come to an end, especially in the scarcely ventilated cases of military prisoners such as Major General Miguel Rodríguez Torres, who has spent more than three years in prison without any evidence, trial, or preliminary hearing; in isolation, with his family persecuted, his property stolen, and at the mercy of the security agents responsible for his custody. The same happens with hundreds of military officers and union leaders, prisoners of conscience like Raúl Baduel and Rodney Álvarez, among many others.
14-. We will fight for our right to elect.
For all of the above, and aware of the need to fight for the best possible conditions under the principles of the law and democracy, we urgently call on the entire nation to resume the path of the electoral struggle to allow the majority to express its will. The whole nation needs to regain the worth of the vote. The government needs to demonstrate legitimacy to have the sanctions lifted. The opposition needs to demonstrate legitimacy to bring about change. The people need to express their position through the vote to avoid violent and anarchic ways. For this reason, we take a step forward in the call to come together to participate in the elections and fight for the best possible conditions, in full understanding of what we are facing. If the government decides to confiscate this right, it will not be counting on the help of the citizens. The government will have to assume the internal, national, and international consequences and the associated costs of preventing the free exercise of the sovereignty of the People.
In this sense, we welcome the efforts of important sectors of society, both in the opposition and within rational sectors of the government, for the appointment of a new National Electoral Council. We know that a hegemonic authoritarian government will never grant electoral conditions of complete freedom and competitiveness. If it gave them, it would cease to be authoritarian. However, we must avoid closing the few doors that remain open and prevent the nation from advancing towards a totalitarian regime that would be much more isolated and would cost the Republic much more suffering and death, and in which the solution would be much more painful for all parties.
Therefore, we understand the need to fight for the best possible conditions, one of them being the “electoral observation of the European Union” (with its reliable protocol), to guarantee the participation of all actors.
15-. A recall Referendum, an opportunity
Under the provisions of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, a recall referendum will be possible after January 10, 2022. Certainly, the extremist forces of both the Government and the opposition could attack this possibility since it would not imply a total victory for either party or the extermination of the opposite. It would be just one step on the road to returning sovereignty to the people.
We, patriots and advocates of democracy, must promote and exercise this constitutional right as the most convenient and least traumatic way out of this crisis. Let the People decide.
16-. We call for the reunion of all Venezuelans.
We have decided to step forward and call for the reunion of all honest Venezuelans who care for this country to come together in a hopeful and democratic effort, taking as a premise the observance of political ethics within the framework of our constitutional rights. With this message, we want to help strengthen the social forces of the country that have a lot to say and express through the exercise of their participation and leadership. All to promote the peaceful and constitutional struggle for the return of democracy and the rule of law. Likewise, we will tell the world, the governments of the hemisphere, and the social and progressive forces of the globe, that every sign of solidarity with our vulnerable people is welcome, as well as any help to overcome the crisis; however, the decisions on how to punt an end to the crisis must always be in the hands of Venezuelan men and women. We will deploy ourselves throughout the country and the world with a proposal for a struggle based on the reconquest of democracy and the constitution, forgiveness, reconciliation, respect for the adversary, dialogue, honest and liberating work that will produce prosperity for the majority, which will allow us to overcome fear and hatred.
We propose a path of balance between post-Chavista and post-anti-Chavista freedom and justice, as a way to unite the whole nation.
Signatories:
- Abundio Sánchez / Exalcalde Barinas
- Alberto Orozco / Líder social Miranda
- Alejandro Alvarado / Militares Retirados de Reserva
- Andrés Izarra / Periodista
- Antonia Muñóz / Exgobernadora Portuguesa
- Argenis Alvarado / Sector Comunal Cojedes
- Augusto Soto / Representante Médicos
- Aura Sotillo / Sector Salud
- Baldurin Monasterios / Defensa Civil La Guaira
- 10.Betty Iriarte / Sector Salud La Guaira
- Carmen Torrealba / Sector Comunal Cojedes
- Carlos Arias / Dirigente político Portuguesa
- Carlos Mantilla / Coordinador Frente Amplio Cristiano Cojedes
- Carlos Molina / Exviceministro Turismo, Movimiento Por la Democracia
- Carlos Silva / MRPS, Nueva Esparta
- Carolina Clara / Dirigente social MPD, Falcón
- César Bencomo / Ex equipo Aló Presidente
- César González / Exdiputado AN
- César Jérez / Frente de Productores Agrícolas de Trujillo
- Christian Bencomo / Comité de Tierras Urbanas, Turmero, Aragua
- Dainube Bracamonte / Sector Educación Apure
- David Rondón / MPD Ex director INDECU La Guaira
- Diana Cazorla / Ex administradora Alcaldía Ricaurte
- Douglas Camero / Ex consultor juridico MIJ
- Edixon Herrera / Ex dirigente estudiantil LUZ, Zulia
- Efraín Montes / Sector Campesino La Guaira
- Elerin Arias / Dirigente político Aragua
- Esluve Sosa / Movimiento Por la Democracia
- Emily Da Silva / Politólogo, MPD
- Exio González / Ex Concejal Pampanito, Trujillo
- Fernando Bravo / Sector Pescadores La Guaira
- Flor Herrera / Profesora Universidad de Carabobo, Aragua
- Florencio Porras / Exgobernador Mérida
- Florisa Bernal / Sector Salud La Guaira
- Framli Daniel Rodríguez / Dirigente social municipio Miranda, Falcón
- Freddy Moreno / Sector Pescadores La Guaira
- Gabriel Blanco / Politólogo, MPD
- Génesis Montes / Ing. Sistemas La Guaira
- Gumercinda Hidalgo /Expresidenta Instituto Cultura de Portuguesa. Docente y actriz.
- Gustavo Caña / Sociedad Civil Cojedes
- Hamilton Atacho / Dirigente social de MPD, Falcón
- Heneidis López / Representación de mujeres de La Guaira
- Hernesto Prieto / Profesionales y Téncinos
- Hilbert Silba / Falcón
- Jackson Páez / Ex Diputado AN Cojedes
- Jaime Pérez / Dirigente social Petare, municipio Sucre, Miranda
- Javier Uzcátegui / Representante Iglesias Cristianas
- Jefri Guzmán / Ex JPSUV La Guaira
- Jhon Vidal / Sector Educación Apure
- Jhonny Magallanes / Sector Jóvenes Cojedes
- Jimmy Pérez / Dirigente social Petare, municipio Sucre, Miranda
- Jorge Coronado / Exconcejal Trujillo
- José Acosta / Trabajadores AIM La Guaira
- José “Chuy” Betancourt / Exalcalde municipio San Carlos, Cojedes
- José Muro / Sector Pescadores de La Guaira
- José Rafael “Chato” Vásquez / Ex alcalde de Araure, Portuguesa
- Juan Carlos Rodríguez Torres / Movimiento Por la Democracia
- Juan Rafael Ruilova / Profesor pre y postgrado UCV, exgerente alto nivel PDVSA
- Juan Luis Sosa / Movimiento Por la Democracia
- Juaquín Velandia / Profesionales y Técnicos
- Julio Milano / Sector Salud
- Julio Moreno / Exdiputado Movimiento Por la Democracia
- Karina Navarro / Consejo Comunal La Guaira
- Kildare Saavedra / Dirigente Municipio Pampam
- Luis Robles / Ex diputado AN, dirigente social Miranda
- Mansur Sliman / Sector Comercial Cojedes
- Manuel Díaz Meléndez / Falcón
- Manuel González / Coordinador Movimiento Ambientalista de Trujillo
- Marcos Gerardo Higuera / Sector Educación Falcón
- María L. Navas / SINAFUM Barbacoa, Aragua
- María Torrealba / Sector Educación Cojedes
- Marilin Cartaya / UPV La Guaira
- Marilin Delgado / Exdefensora del Pueblo, Trujillo
- Migdalis Hernández / Frente de Mujeres Socialistas
- Miguel Lozano / Crnel. R. (EJ) Frente de Militares Retirados
- Miguel Quirós / Crnel. R. (EJ) Sector Militares retirados Cojedes
- Néstor Gutiérrez / Coordinador Frente Amplio Cojedes
- Olga Camero / Econcejal PSUV Mérida
- Oly Millán / Economista, Exministra Economía Popular
- Osvaldo Rubio / Frente de Profesionales y Técnicos
- Oswaldo Colmenares / Sector Educación Universitaria Apure
- Pedro González / Colegio De Médicos Cojedes
- Ramón Araujo / Frente de Profesionales y Técnicos
- Ramón García / Dirigente social Miranda, Dir. FUNAPREVEN
- Raunely Pinto / Sector Salud
- Ricardo Rojas / Exgerente distrito social PDVSA
- Roberto Blanco / Representación Adultos Mayores La Guaira
- Rodolfo Márquez / Exdiputado AN y Asociación de Productores Agropecuarios Trujillo
- Rubén Peralta / Sector Agrícola Cojedes
- Sandy Chirinos / Dirigente social municipio Miranda, Falcón
- Saúl Torrealba / Sector Universitario Cojedes
- Sergio Sánchez / Exconcejal Movimiento Por la Democracia
- Tomás Jaimes / Defensor de DDHH
- Victoria Padilla / Comerciantes La Guaira
- Wilmer Romero / Profesor UCV
- Ycilio Zambrano / Exdirector IPASME Boconó
- Yelca Rojas / Sector Salud La Guaira
- Yelitza Brito / UBCH, PSUV La Guaira
- Yilian Colmenares / Representación estudiantes La Guaira
- Yonathan Osuna / Dirigente Juvenil Sucre
- Yrma Martínez / Exdirigente social Petare, municipio Sucre, Miranda
- Yuliana Sánchez / CLAP La Guaira
- Yunely Sojo / Sector Transporte La Guaira
- Zenaida K. Tahhan / Dirigente social Caracas y miembro de Frente Sur y
REDES
Translated by José Rafael Medina
