|
|
|
| |
| |
Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
January 1, 2008
|
|
| site design imagesparkle.com |
| December 5, 2007 |
Poor Rich country – How Venezuela is Undergoing Revolution to Create a More Equal Society – Raimundo Borregales |
|
| |
 |
Raimundo Borregales with a copy of the Constitution of the Bolivar Republic of Venezuela in hand, told participants about the sweeping reforms taking hold there |
Raimundo Borregales joined Peace Boat from the Canary Islands to Venezuela to discuss the current social and political situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, a country experiencing sweeping changes under President Hugo Chavez. As the director of the Falcon Ministry of Education, Mr Borregales has been at the forefront of the policy changes which aim to narrow the gap between the wealthy elite, and the 80 percent who, before the regime came to power in 1998, lived in extreme poverty. |
site design imagesparkle.com |
 |
| Standing behind the Venezuelan flag are Mr Borregales and his dedicated team of onboard helpers |
In the pre-Chavez era, according to Mr Borregales, ‘Venezuela was a nation where the leaders didn’t care about the suffering of its people.’ Its rich oil industry was privatized, meaning that the wealth was controlled by a small financial elite while the rest of the nation remained poverty-stricken. From 1958 to 1998, the country was run under a dictatorship which although democratic in name, was far from that in reality as the overwhelming majority had no rights underlined by the constitution. ‘The 80 percent who lived in poverty didn’t have access to education, health and housing, but that is changing now,’ he said. |
| |
 |
| Mr Borregales introducing Venezuelan dance culture at Peace Boat’s Latin America Night |
In addition to free health care and education, government-funded initiatives implemented at the level of the community have helped the disadvantaged by creating employment opportunities. ‘Venezuela is changing constantly. We are building a bigger and better society with principles and values placed on love,’ stated Mr Borregales. ‘I want to say that we are following a new, democratic constitution. We want to be independent so we can make our own decisions and concentrate on freedom and dignity,’ he added. However, Chavez’s widespread control over the country may now be under threat since his proposed amendments to the constitution, which would have abolished term limits and increased the state’s role in the economy, among other changes, was rejected in a referendum held on December 2. |
| |
 |
With volunteer GET teacher and interpreter, Raul Cabrera, Mr Borregales took time out of his busy schedule to talk up close and personal with Peace Boat’s English speaking volunteer staff |
Chavez’s policies have been controversial, and challenged by both Venezuela’s elite and by the international community, especially the mass media which has portrayed him as a cantankerous dictator, overshadowing his efforts to create a more democratic and equal society through tackling illiteracy, high unemployment and crime rates. ‘What you hear in the media is nothing like the situation in Venezuela. They say whatever Americans want to hear. America has always tried to distort the image of Chavez,’ claimed Mr Borregales. |
| |
 |
| A team effort: Mr Borregales’s helpers who aided him in compiling and communicating his lectures |
Mr Borregales also rebuts claims that Chavez’s rule is destabilizing Latin America. In fact, he says, ‘Latin America is more unified than ever. Venezuela has good relations with Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Cuba and Chile. We are on a honeymoon with all these countries.’ In an attempt to move away from neo-liberal policies and renounce the ongoing negative consequences of colonialism and imperialism, a solidarity movement is taking place. ‘Latin America has been attacked and shamed and had its identity taken away by colonialists headed by imperialists. Now, through political, economic and social integration, many countries are hoping for independence, to utilize resources and regain their dignity as human beings,’ he explained. |
| |
|
|
|
