Document Type Report Topic Delegation to Venezuela – Summer 2019 (Draft 12) Date November 22, 2019 First Draft September 19, 2019 Author(s) Christophe Simpson Editor(s) Christina Ivey Jamaica LANDS Delegation to Venezuela – Summer 2019 Introduction Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 25th Sao Paulo Forum ................................................................................................................................... 6 Formal Participation in the Forum .......................................................................................................... 8 Plenaries .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Afro-Descendants Caucus .................................................................................................................... 8 Youth Caucus ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Unscheduled Encounters .......................................................................................................................... 9 Conversation with a Comrade from Peru .......................................................................................... 9 Conversation with a Comrade from the Philippines ..................................................................... 10 Bolivarian University of Venezuela .................................................................................................. 11 Visit to the Students’ Residency in Plaza Venezuela ..................................................................... 12 Assembly of Caribbean Peoples ....................................................................................................... 13 Environmentalist Caucusing ............................................................................................................. 14 Agro-Urban Movement ..................................................................................................................... 14 Housing Missions ............................................................................................................................... 14 Conversation with a Businesswoman’s Son .................................................................................... 15 Conversation with DPRK Diplomats.............................................................................................. 16 Week in Petare.............................................................................................................................................. 17 The “Cacica Urimare” Community Centre ......................................................................................... 17 Bakery ................................................................................................................................................... 17 Mill ........................................................................................................................................................ 17 Textile Workshop ............................................................................................................................... 18 Dance Classes ...................................................................................................................................... 18 Music Studio ........................................................................................................................................ 18 Health Centre ...................................................................................................................................... 19 Classes & Skills Training .................................................................................................................... 19 Page 2 of 65 Jamaica LANDS Delegation to Venezuela – Summer 2019 Introduction Encounters in Petare .............................................................................................................................. 20 Webpage on US Intervention in Latin America ............................................................................. 20 Bachaqueros ........................................................................................................................................ 20 Engaging Random Youth .................................................................................................................. 21 Reflections on the Opposition (Petare) ........................................................................................... 22 Che Guevara Brigade .................................................................................................................................. 23 Notes ......................................................................................................................................................... 23 August 8 – General Notes on the Situation in Venezuela ............................................................ 23 August 13 – Alina Foods ................................................................................................................... 24 August 14 – Notes from the Border Regions................................................................................. 25 August 14 – The Jesus Romero Anselmi Commune .................................................................... 27 August 14 – The Che Guevara Commune (Day 1) ....................................................................... 28 August 15 – The Che Guevara Commune (Day 2) ....................................................................... 28 August 15 – Nueva Esperanza Apartments .................................................................................... 29 August 17 – Alfareros del Gres ........................................................................................................ 30 August 17 – A Refitted Brewery ....................................................................................................... 30 August 19 – Arrival in Maizal ........................................................................................................... 30 August 20 – The Maizal Commune (Day 1) ................................................................................... 31 August 21 – The Maizal Commune (Day 2) ................................................................................... 31 Post-Notes ................................................................................................................................................ 32 Invitations ............................................................................................................................................ 32 Medication ........................................................................................................................................... 32 Encounter with an Eco-Socialist ...................................................................................................... 33 Removing Populism from Socialism................................................................................................ 33 Visit to Cultural Centre ...................................................................................................................... 34 Tatuy TV .............................................................................................................................................. 34 Visit to Community Centre (Merida) ............................................................................................... 35 Page 3 of 65 Jamaica LANDS Delegation to Venezuela – Summer 2019 Introduction Visit to Recreational Centre .............................................................................................................. 36 Visit to Pico Bolívar ........................................................................................................................... 37 Somos Otro Beta in Quíbor .............................................................................................................. 37 Considerations with Diversifying the Economy ............................................................................ 38 General Notes .............................................................................................................................................. 40 The Opposition ....................................................................................................................................... 40 Reflections on the Opposition (General) ........................................................................................ 40 The Myth of Popular Support for Juan Guaidó ............................................................................ 40 Leopoldo López .................................................................................................................................. 41 Direct Support from the US ............................................................................................................. 41 The Promise of Life Support After Regime Change ..................................................................... 42 The Unintended Effects of the Blockade ............................................................................................ 43 Economic Effects