Chavez Launches Formation of Unified Socialist Party of Venezuela

Mérida, March 25, 2007 (venezuelanalysis.com)- In front of more than two thousand "promoters" for the Unified Socialist Party of Venezuela yesterday, President Hugo Chávez called for all the political parties that support him to unite behind the new party. These "promoters" will carry out the first stage in the formation of a united pro-government party by the end of the year. President Chávez emphasized that a united party is vital for the success of the Bolivarian process.

Venezuela's President Chavez (center) during the swearing-in ceremony for 2,400 promotors of the new Unified Socialist Party of Venezuela. Credit: RNV

During this first meeting of more than two thousand "promoters," Chávez said that they were beginning a new phase of the process and warned that the "deepening of the revolution is going to sharpen the contradictions," both on a national and international level. For this reason he explained the urgency of a strong party, "because we are not going to stop the revolution," he explained.

Yesterday's event was the first step in moving toward the formation of a united socialist party in Venezuela. The objective behind the formation of the new party is to put an end to sectarian and bureaucratic politics that have plagued the pro-government coalition, according to the President. The promotors are supposed to spread throughout the country to register all those who wish to join the new party. This registry will then be used as a basis for electing delegates to the first party congress, which is to be held in August and which will work on the party program and bylaws.

Chávez invited those political parties that support the Bolivarian process, such as the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV), PODEMOS, and Fatherland For All (PPT) to join forces with all pro-Chávez forces to form the revolutionary socialist party. He assured that the new party will be completely democratic and humanistic, but warned that those parties that decide to stay out of the party would end up victims of "reformism" or "dogmatism."

Chávez said that some of the political leaders of these parties have frustrated him with their opposition to his call for unity, but he asked them to reflect on their decision. Recently leaders of PCV, Podemos, and PPT had expressed reservations about joining the Unified Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) because they want to wait and see the new party's program and bylaws before dissolving themselves.

"Despite these criticisms, I recognize the contribution of all these parties in many of the popular battles that have taken place in Venezuela in the 60's, 70's, and 80's." said Chávez yesterday. "I hold them in high esteem, and the people do too, but the time has come for unity," he insisted.

Chávez also emphasized the importance of unity in the light of international threats to the revolution. Referring to new economic agreements with China, Chávez warned that the new plans will "sharpen the conflict" with the United States, which "hasn't lost hope that Venezuela will once again be a colony. They are concerned about these agreements, and therefore the attacks are going to get worse," he said.

Chávez assured that there are new plans for his assassination, or a coup d'etat, in order to destabilize the country and allow for a U.S. intervention, either directly or through international organizations. George W. Bush is now "more dangerous than ever" according to Chávez. "They only have 2 years left and they are capable of anything," he said, referring to Bush's term which will end in 2008

But as long as the majority of the Venezuelan people strongly back the government, united behind a new party, all attempts to destabilize the country are destined to fail, he insisted.

According to President Chávez, the PSUV will be the center of national politics and will serve to strengthen the Bolivarian project, both nationally and internationally.