A highly influential – and right-wing Brazilian bourgeois commentator wrote an article for O Estado de Sao Paulo attacking Chavez from the right, tracing his evolution from his early days to his latest turn to the left. In doing so the author names the editor of Marxist.com, Alan Woods as one of the main influences responsible for Chavez’s move to the Left. Here we publish the original article and a reply from Alan Woods.

Recently we saw many important events happening in Venezuela, like the devaluation of the bolívar or the nationalisations in the banking sector, which needs to be analysed carefully. The movement of occupied factories made important steps forward last year, but still faces sabotage by counter-revolutionary managers and workers are still struggling for nationalisation under workers' control. In order to defend the conquests already made, the revolution must put the nationalisation of the commanding heights of the economy on the agenda. Only this can destroy capitalism and provide the necessary prerequisites for a socialist planned economy.

At the First Extraordinary Congress of the PSUV, which began in November last year and finishes this April, one can clearly sense a growing anger of the delegates and members against the reformists and bureaucrats in the party, as well as a thirst for the ideas of marxism. We publish here an interview with comrade Katy Jaimes, delegate to the Congress for the Chacao municipality of Miranda State, who lays heavy stress upon the need to organise a left in the party.

The Venezulean Ministry of Labour is moving against trade union militants of the Singetram union at the Mitsubishi plant in Barcelona (State of Anzoategui) announcing their dismissal. We call on all our readers to take part in the campaign of protest and solidarity.

Alan stressed that the Venezuelan revolution finds itself at an extremely critical stage. At every decisive turning point, the Bolivarian masses have fought with all their might to defend the revolution. Now the revolution must be completed.

Alan Woods spoke at several meetings in the State of Barinas, where many university students and workers, as well as PSUV leaders and activists participated. Alan insisted on the main theme of his speaking tour: that the revolution must move forward and prepare to smash the power of the oligarchy once and for all, otherwise the danger of a reactionary backlash will be ever present.