Venezuelan soldiers and workers seize foreign-owned cement plants

[spartan]

GUANTA, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan soldiers and workers seized foreign-owned cement plants on Tuesday, a show of strength as President Hugo Chavez advances a plan to make South America's top oil exporter a socialist state.

Workers and soldiers poured into the plants alongside government officials as Venezuela took control of installations belonging to Mexican giant Cemex on the stroke of midnight after failing to reach a deal in cement nationalization talks.

Chavez, who has said he intends to build a state-planned socialist economy, has taken oil and telephone companies from private owners and is buying a large Spanish-owned bank and a steel company.

"Their time is up and they move into the hands of the state," Chavez said at a political rally late on Monday. "These are all steps towards socialism."

Despite losing a referendum last year that would have given him wider scope to remake the economy, the former paratrooper used decree powers to pass a package of laws in July granting the state greater powers to intervene in sectors such as food.

At Cemex's main Venezuelan plant in Pertigalete on the Caribbean coast, government supporters sang the national anthem and waved the country's yellow, blue and red flag. The plant was still operating.

Some wore shirts bearing the slogan "Now the cement is everyone's." State television showed supporters at another plant holding up the flag of Venezuela's communist party.

"Now the cement we produce will not make millionaires of some far-away men, it will be used for our houses, our infrastructure, our national development plan," said Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez, charged with overseeing the takeover, before dancing workers clad in red shirts.

The move against Cemex will further chill the investment environment in Venezuela, where companies enjoy fast growth from a consumer boom but face heavy regulations on prices and frequent government takeover threats.

KEY ELECTIONS
As part of the cement nationalization, Venezuela struck deals to buy majority shares in the local operations of European cement makers Holcim and Lafarge, following a pattern of usually compensating takeover targets well. But the government said Cemex was asking for too much.

Shares of Cemex on the Mexico stock exchange fell 2.83 percent on the news.

Venezuela says Cemex wanted about $1.3 billion for its local division, but on Tuesday said the company would now be lucky to get $400 million. Mexican diplomats formally asked Venezuela to restart talks with Cemex.

Chavez wants the cement companies, as well as a major steel plant he is buying from an Argentine group, to help quell criticism he has failed to meet home-building goals.

After nearly 10 years on office, Chavez also has an eye on key local elections in November, where his coalition's control of most states and cities will likely erode as voters fed up with crime and corruption turn to other parties or abstain.

The one-time coup leader has long won elections because of support for his sharing of oil wealth among the majority poor.

Workers at the Pertigalete plant on Tuesday shouted: "That's the way to govern," reflecting the popularity of nationalizations among many Venezuelans.

Others are unsure the state will run the companies well.

"Many of us have been waiting nervously for the nationalization," said Reinaldo Hernandez, a machinist at Cemex for nine years. "We don't know how things will work out."

Oil Minister Ramirez said the three private cement companies now moving into government hands would be merged into one operation controlling almost all of the sector.

He said the merger would reduce costs and increase efficiency, despite oil state Venezuela's history of bloated, poorly run government enterprises.
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN1925911020080819

[Abluegreen7]

Chavez thank you. They may call us crazy but at the end we will challenge imperialism.

[OI OI OI]

good move by Chavez.
Now we should push for democratic workers control and no compensation to the capitalists!

Of course further nationalizations as well.

Hasta la victoria siempre.

[AGITprop]

Long live the Venezuelan working class!

:laugh:

[Abluegreen7]

Cheers to that comrade. Bush has to be pissing himself.

[AGITprop]

Cheers to that comrade. Bush has to be pissing himself.

I think he ruling class all over the world is flipping out.

There is a danger though. The more that these reforms carry out, without revolutionary overthrow of capitalism completely, the more chance there is of outside threat crushing the revolution.

Steps are being taken to defend the revolution. Workers and community members have been armed, and more and more Venezuelans are joining the National Guard every day to train in the use of arms and combat.

No country at this time, I would think, would risk an invasion of Venezuela, but forces still exist that threaten it. Just by examining where Venezuela receives its military supplies, we can see which countries have put an embargo on the country.Also, if other countries put a ban on Venezuelan oil, it would put at risk many of the reforms in the country, which are funded by Venezuela's rich oil supply.

There needs to be an overthrow of capital as quickly as possible, along with the same overthrown of bourgeois states across Latin America to secure the Venezuelan revolution, and any possibility for a socialist future.

[Holden Caulfield]

although Venuzuela isnt perfect, Chavez sets a great example of what can be done to all of the Latin American nations, a united socialist states of South America would be a 'dream' i would like to see happen in my life time,

[BIG BROTHER]

Well I hate to be the one *****ing about it, but the fact that Chavez is doing this by decree doesn't speak good to me.

Otherwise now that the cement plan is nationalized, I wonder how it will be managed, and how its going to affect the workers.

[Comrade Castro]

Don't get your hopes up, guys. The disillusionment really stings. I used to ardently support Chavez, I thought this was a real revolution! But I just came back from Venezeula a few weeks ago. What you see on the internet is quite different from what you see in real life. I looked around, talked to people. And the truth hurts. Believe me, Venezuela is 100% in the grips of capitalism and consumerism. Worker's power? Class conciousness? A few years ago, there was hope. A lot of it. It seemed like things were really going to change. Now ask anyone about such concepts and they'll roll over laughing. Workers were taking time off from their jobs to read Marx? Really? Quien coño es Marx? (For non-spanish speakers: Who the fuck is Marx?) The fact is, Chavez is a capitalist leader, who has helped the Venezuelan bourgeoisie more than many previous presidents. The fact is, the rich are getting richer. A LOT richer. And even if you defend Chavez, you have to admit that ANYONE in a position of power in his government (with a few exceptions who are or were truly honest) is totally corrupt and making a lot of money from the "Revolution". The politicians ride around in Hummers and yachts (painted red, of course). What about the nationalizations? The workers are finally taking power!!!! Uhh, no. The extremely small part of Venezuelan factories that have been nationalized are definitely NOT run by the workers. They have just installed a capitalist manager in a red shirt, who usually finds a way to get rich quick with some shady deals, and left the factories to stagnate. It's disgusting, really. A few years ago there was actually hope. There was actually revolutionary fervour in people. There was really going to be a change! Capitalism and exploitation would end! Class counciousness was truly beginning to appeal to the masses! Everyone who was there remembers it like some distant, beautiful dream. The fact is, that slime Chavez and the pieces of shit surrounding him TOOK ADVANTAGE of the masses and of their hope, in order to install themselves in power for as long as they wished. "Let's just give those idiots some free social programs, lower the price of a few things, and call it socialism. Then we'll slowly take it away and retire rich." Nationalizations such as this one are merely to push a bit of that hope back into people's minds, especially with the elections for mayors and governors that's coming up in November. It seems possible that it'll swing either way, but the Chavistas need to keep the states they have, because sadly the opposition, who is far worse than Chavez, has been gaining a bit of ground. Besides, do you know how much money a governor (whether he dresses in red or blue) can steal? I guess what I wanna say is that the Chavez government is pretty exactly the same as any other bourgeoise government, only they dress in red. Fuck Chavez, and Fuck every government. All states, in the end, are the same shit.

[ern]

Agree with the central content of your post comrade castro, good to see that experiencing the reality of the so-called revolution has changed your mind. As you say
"I guess what I wanna say is that the Chavez government is pretty exactly the same as any other bourgeoise government, only they dress in red".
Have you read any of the Left Communist and Anarchist critiques of the 'revolution'. You may this article that we (the ICC) have done interesting: The bourgeois state of Chavez attacks the steel workers http://en.internationalism.org/icconline/2008/apr/steel-struggles

[Comrade Castro]

Agree with the central content of your post comrade castro, good to see that experiencing the reality of the so-called revolution has changed your mind. As you say
"I guess what I wanna say is that the Chavez government is pretty exactly the same as any other bourgeoise government, only they dress in red".
Have you read any of the Left Communist and Anarchist critiques of the 'revolution'. You may this article that we (the ICC) have done interesting: The bourgeois state of Chavez attacks the steel workers http://en.internationalism.org/icconline/2008/apr/steel-struggles


Good article, I also thought this one from Infoshop was interesting:
http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=2008el-libertario-memories

And here's a Venezuelan anarchist site:

http://www.nodo50.org/ellibertario/index.html

[MAVA]

this great, the greed of the bourgeoisie must be stopped.

[ships-cat]

So will he 'workers' own the cement factories ? Or will one of Chavez's "inner circle" be appointed to the job ?

Lets hope Chavez knows what he's doing, 'cos he's slowly but surely losing ANY hope of foreign commercial investment into Venezuela.

Meow Purr :)

[Vendetta]

The extremely small part of Venezuelan factories that have been nationalized are definitely NOT run by the workers. They have just installed a capitalist manager in a red shirt, who usually finds a way to get rich quick with some shady deals, and left the factories to stagnate.

Really? :closedeyes:

[Comrade Castro]

Again, I repeat that nationalized factories in Venezuela are NOT run by the workers. Nobody in Venezuela but the blissfully ignorant would claim such a thing. The factories are run by capitalists, who dress in red and run the factories for profit. And Chavez is NOT losing foreign investments. Quite the opposite, its a bonanza right now for foreign capitalists. Chavez has actually made it easier for them, as long as they are not from the USA and have an infamous name (Exxon, for example). Seriously, if you're rich and into business, go to Venezuela. The entire bourgeoise are, I would say, overwhelmed by profits. Especially the import and luxuries markets. I haven't heard any rich guys complaining. Literally insane profits. And they complain about "Communism"! :rolleyes:

[Incendiarism]

Think of it this way: Chavez was never a revolutionary, and as such we shouldn't expect particularly too much from him. But at least they're going somewhere.

[KurtFF8]

I think that we shouldn't be so quick to dismiss all actions by Chavez's government. I also don't want to be so quick to dismiss Comrade Castro's critiques of Chavez (then again those critiques may be influenced by anarchism and I'm not an anarchist).

The "revolution" of Venezuela may not be going as well as we want it to, but I think it's still too early to completely dismiss it. It has a lot of potential to turn into true socialism, and there is still a strong socialist movement of the country that at least has managed to capture part of the state apparatus at the moment and we ought to support that movement.

This is an old article but is an example of how things can turn out and that there is at least still some potential (as I've said) for the future http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4155936.stm

[redarmyfaction38]

I think he ruling class all over the world is flipping out.

There is a danger though. The more that these reforms carry out, without revolutionary overthrow of capitalism completely, the more chance there is of outside threat crushing the revolution.

Steps are being taken to defend the revolution. Workers and community members have been armed, and more and more Venezuelans are joining the National Guard every day to train in the use of arms and combat.

No country at this time, I would think, would risk an invasion of Venezuela, but forces still exist that threaten it. Just by examining where Venezuela receives its military supplies, we can see which countries have put an embargo on the country.Also, if other countries put a ban on Venezuelan oil, it would put at risk many of the reforms in the country, which are funded by Venezuela's rich oil supply.

There needs to be an overthrow of capital as quickly as possible, along with the same overthrown of bourgeois states across Latin America to secure the Venezuelan revolution, and any possibility for a socialist future.
i absolutely agree, venezuala cannot stand on its own, it cannot afford compromises with individual international capitalist companies in the hope of respite from imperialist attack.
the revolution needs to be "internationalised", it needs chavez to encourage the working class to arm itself and seize all means of production all across latin america.imo.

[PRC-UTE]

Don't get your hopes up, guys. The disillusionment really stings. I used to ardently support Chavez, I thought this was a real revolution! But I just came back from Venezeula a few weeks ago. What you see on the internet is quite different from what you see in real life. I looked around, talked to people. And the truth hurts. Believe me, Venezuela is 100% in the grips of capitalism and consumerism. Worker's power? Class conciousness? A few years ago, there was hope. A lot of it. It seemed like things were really going to change. Now ask anyone about such concepts and they'll roll over laughing. Workers were taking time off from their jobs to read Marx? Really? Quien coño es Marx? (For non-spanish speakers: Who the fuck is Marx?) The fact is, Chavez is a capitalist leader, who has helped the Venezuelan bourgeoisie more than many previous presidents. The fact is, the rich are getting richer. A LOT richer. And even if you defend Chavez, you have to admit that ANYONE in a position of power in his government (with a few exceptions who are or were truly honest) is totally corrupt and making a lot of money from the "Revolution". The politicians ride around in Hummers and yachts (painted red, of course). What about the nationalizations? The workers are finally taking power!!!! Uhh, no. The extremely small part of Venezuelan factories that have been nationalized are definitely NOT run by the workers. They have just installed a capitalist manager in a red shirt, who usually finds a way to get rich quick with some shady deals, and left the factories to stagnate. It's disgusting, really. A few years ago there was actually hope. There was actually revolutionary fervour in people. There was really going to be a change! Capitalism and exploitation would end! Class counciousness was truly beginning to appeal to the masses! Everyone who was there remembers it like some distant, beautiful dream. The fact is, that slime Chavez and the pieces of shit surrounding him TOOK ADVANTAGE of the masses and of their hope, in order to install themselves in power for as long as they wished. "Let's just give those idiots some free social programs, lower the price of a few things, and call it socialism. Then we'll slowly take it away and retire rich." Nationalizations such as this one are merely to push a bit of that hope back into people's minds, especially with the elections for mayors and governors that's coming up in November. It seems possible that it'll swing either way, but the Chavistas need to keep the states they have, because sadly the opposition, who is far worse than Chavez, has been gaining a bit of ground. Besides, do you know how much money a governor (whether he dresses in red or blue) can steal? I guess what I wanna say is that the Chavez government is pretty exactly the same as any other bourgeoise government, only they dress in red. Fuck Chavez, and Fuck every government. All states, in the end, are the same shit.

What of recent workers' actions then?

[ern]

Thanks for the links comrade castro, they are very interesting.

Redarmyfraction, what is revolutionary about Chavez's efforts to strengthen Venezuelan state capitalism? All he and his gang have done for the working class is to increase its exploitation, develop the repressive apparatus and to increase illusions about democracy. We should also not forget his determined efforts to extend Venezuela's imperialist ambitions in the region.

PRC-UTE What workers struggles do you mean?

[Comrade B]

This is another step forward. More than will be accomplished in America in the next 100 years. The government may not have destroyed capitalism, or completely refused it, but it is slowly easing itself off of it.

[redarmyfaction38]

Thanks for the links comrade castro, they are very interesting.

Redarmyfraction, what is revolutionary about Chavez's efforts to strengthen Venezuelan state capitalism? All he and his gang have done for the working class is to increase its exploitation, develop the repressive apparatus and to increase illusions about democracy. We should also not forget his determined efforts to extend Venezuela's imperialist ambitions in the region.

PRC-UTE What workers struggles do you mean?
a bit confused! went back and re read the comrades post, not living in venezuala, i thought the points he made were entirely relevant and agreed with them,
i don't see how arming workers and seizing control of the means of production is "state capitalist" or trying to spread that throughout south america is imperialist.

[Alf]

If the workers were really arming themselves in Venezuela, they would immediately come up against the repression of the existing bourgeois state (just as the steel workers did when they came out on strike recently). There is a world of difference between genuine workers' militias (historically linked to the soviets and inaugurating a situation of dual power) and organs created from above to give the capitalist state a radical mask by spouting all kinds of 'socialist' verbiage. In the latter case, there may be guns in the workers' hands, but they will have been disarmed politically.
Yes, Chavez defends the interests of Venzuelan capital as a regional imperialist power, as we saw during the recent exchange of sabre-rattling with Colombia. Our comrades in Venezuela analysed this here: http://en.internationalism.org/icconline/2008/apr/tensions-ecuador-colombia

[Comrade Castro]

Let me mention that the Venezuelan state is not "arming the workers". The "Reserva Nacional" is nothing similar to the worker's militias of 1917 Russia, or 1936 Spain. The Venezuelan Reserve is a part of the regular armed forces, and made up of guys who get military training mostly on the weekends, under instruction from army officers. They only use guns during specific training sessions on shooting ranges. Besides basic soldiering training, they recieve no "political" instruction, as it is a part of the "non-political" armed forces. And it is not "democratic", it is a top-down, military hierarchy, a lot like the US Army Reserve. I know all this, because my uncle has been in the reserve for two years.

[Comrade Castro]

And let me repeat that the means of production, including the vast majority of heavy industry, agriculture, and construction, are almost all in PRIVATE hands, and their workers are still wage-slaves, while Chavez calls the factory owners to help "build Socialism" :rolleyes:. And the means of production, few and far between, that have been seized, have been put under the management of corrupt state bureaucrats, and while the workers have a better health and education plan, and slightly higher wages, they are by no means in charge of the workplace. No one pretends that to be true, not even Chavez himself. He may have mentioned it a couple of years ago, but seems to have forgotten now that he's become so openly friendly with the bourgeoise.