Venezuela participates in Unite International Educational School 2009 in Eastbourne

Unite held its annual International Educational School 2009 in Eastbourne where members gathered to participate and learn about various topics that included international politics and solidarity.

As part of this educational programme, Alvaro Sanchez from the Venezuelan Embassy in London and Matthew  Willgress from the Venezuelan Solidarity Campaign were invited to speak about the 10 years of the Bolivarian Revolution and also about the current situation in Venezuela.

Sanchez referred to ‘El Caracazo’ in 1989 as a major historical event that shaped future developments in Venezuela and the whole region:

“Venezuelans took to the streets spontaneously to protest against the introduction of draconian neo-liberal reform of the economy” and hundreds of peacefully demonstrating citizens were shot dead by the armed forces of the government, said Sanchez who added: “Nevertheless you hardly ever hear about ‘El Caracazo’ in the news or the media, whereas we are always reminded of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the incidents in Tiananmen Square in China, which also took place 20 years ago, in 1989,”.

After illustrating the social achievements brought about by the Bolivarian Revolution, Sanchez explained that Venezuela feels its sovereignty is seriously threatened by the installation of seven US military bases in neighboring Colombia.

Matthew Willgress briefed the audience about progress of the trade union movement in Venezuela.

At the end of the event, Andy Gilchrist, International Programmes Cordinator of Unison, led an interesting discussion about ways to develop cooperation links between British and Venezuelan people.

Press Office of the Venezuelan Embassy in London, 13 November 2009