Micro-missions to pave the way for territorial reorganization in Venezuela

Hugo Chávez announced on October 9, during his proclamation as reelected President of Venezuela, the creation of new welfare programs called micro-missions, which will be implemented in the regions.

According to the Bolivarian Administration plan, from 2013, such programs are to pursue territorial reorganization -a key aspect to develop the socialist model.

Under the government program for the 2012-2019 presidential term, "based on the great missions, territorial systems will be developed to transform communities," and "new missions focused on key areas or issues, based on strategic objectives, will be created."

The socialist model Chávez proposes involves territorial reorganization to create "motor districts and communes," in order to set up socialist productive chains.

Sociologist Luis Pedro España reckons that the welfare plans the government has implemented so far are not properly focused. Therefore, they are not quite effective in solving the structural problems related to poverty.

He asserts that it is important to understand the specific economic and social dynamics of the regions where such missions are applied. For this reason, España believes that without local management the micro-missions might fail. However, that approach runs counter to the model that has characterized the Chávez's administration, which has been widely centralized.

From 2003 through 2012, the government has created 34 missions. Several of them have had to be re-structured.

Translated by Andreína Trujillo