IMPORTANT NOTICE: This video was pre-recorded a week in advance. We will return to normal programming on Thursday 12th February.

A lot is said about Hugo Chávez and the Bolivarian Revolution. The billionaire-owned media cry out indignantly that was a dictator who ruined life for ordinary Venezuelans. But over the course of his presidency, he won a total of 19 democratic elections and referendums with record voter turnout – how many bourgeois politicians can claim the same?

In the meantime, the imperialists in Washington launched a number of coup attempts; all of which failed miserably, when brought face to face with the will of the organised masses. The power of the working class is like no other on Earth, and the Venezuelan Revolution offers an invaluable glimpse of what is possible when this power is unleashed.

What was it about Chávez’ methods and outlook that allowed him to lead the most important revolutionary movement of the 21st century? And what was it about those same methods and outlook that ultimately led to its defeat after his death?

Jorge Martín and Hamid Alizadeh answer these questions and more on this week’s episode of Against the Stream. Tune in every Thursday at 6pm GMT for a Marxist analysis of world events.

📖 RECOMMENDED READING 📖

'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' – Documentary on the failed 2002 coup

🔗https://vimeo.com/513876099

Carry Out the Legacy of Hugo Chávez

🔗https://marxist.com/carry-out-the-legacy-of-hugo-chavez.htm

From Alan Woods' book 'The Venezuelan Revolution: A Marxist Perspective':

Encounters with Hugo Chávez

🔗https://marxist.com/book-the-venezuelan-revolution-marxist-perspective/encounters-with-hugo-chavez.htm

Marxists and the Venezuelan Revolution

🔗https://marxist.com/book-the-venezuelan-revolution-marxist-perspective/marxists-andnbspthe-venezuelan-revolution.htm

🌐 LINKS 🌐

✊ Join the Revolutionary Communist International:

https://marxist.com/join-us.htm

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https://www.instagram.com/revcomintern/

💬 Twitter:

https://x.com/revcomintern/