Guayana working class: looking for another path

The blow suffered in Bolívar state (south Venezuela) by President Hugo Chávez in his relationship with the working class is not just heavy insofar as the workers dared to question Chávez's government in a regime that prides itself on being "workers' advocate" and whose main goal is the proletariat demands (is not proletariat dictatorship one of its aims?).

Those same workers, whose name has been used by the government to justify its anti-democratic nature, unveiled the sham mounted by a State that unlike the private sector, breaks its most fundamental duty: to discuss the expired collective bargaining.

This way, on a dire Monday for the Chavezism, a nationwide obligatory simultaneous radio and TV broadcast was organized to show the worker's class wholehearted support, especially the backup of the workers of the basic enterprises.

Paradoxically, instead of witnessing a glorification act, Venezuelans confirmed the real value of the president's word when a group of workers protested during Chavez's address.

It is to imagine that the middle class, wooed by the seducer in distress into which the candidate-president has turned, has wondered how to believe in the word of a man who was unmasked by an auditorium that was considered gentle and captive.

However, the conclusion is fundamental: if he has deceived for years a social sector that is regarded as one of his favorites, what can be expected for those of us who, during the same period, have suffered any kind of mistreatment and deterioration of the quality of life?

After the showdown, any other candidate would think it over before traveling to Puerto Ordaz (Bolívar capital city) and getting into troubles with such an irreverent working class that disrespects a person who feels like the country's owner.

Nevertheless, the opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski was welcomed with an enthusiasm that turned into an ovation, when plainly and without cheap demagogy he referred to facts that the president did not: the basic enterprises will continue in the hands of a State that will keep its word; collective bargaining agreements will be signed; managers will be skilled people knowledgeable about the reality of the industries and the labor liabilities will be paid in cash, not in notes.

This was enough. The gap that separates the candidates is more evident every day. On one side, president-candidate's word is losing value. On the other side, the young governor's track record supports any and all his commitments.

For that reason and against all odds, Capriles Radonski convinced the most rebellious pro-Chávez workers. For that same reason Chávez has lost the most valued flag for any governor who proclaims himself/herself a revolutionary: the support and the close relationship with the disobedient working class.

Translated by Karina Salas