Consolidating Our Long Term Revolution

After a long flight to Venezuela, I was ready to be part of one of the major decisions in our modern times: The possibility of consolidating a long term revolution by peaceful and democratic means. I was awoken at 4am on Sunday 15th February by strong fireworks and trumpet sounds. Walking during a dark morning in Caracas and waiting for the opening of the underground service is not always a pleasant experience, but in this case it was well worth it. I arrived at the voting centre at around 6am, and an extended queue of around 500 people were already there, waiting for the referendum to officially begin. 

The voting process was quick and simple, but very important. The nation was consulted about an amendment to our Constitution, and the division was between two paths with different destinies. As President Chavez said on the day of the vote, ¨It is the dilemma of Hamlet as written by Shakespeare:  To be (Si/Yes vote), or not to be”. The constitutional amendment is a proposal to the People to allow them to obtain more political power in their hands and more capacity of decision making if they say ‘Yes’, or ‘No’ would be to continue to limit the choices available in our future, needing each time to decide between leaders and political projects. The second option is a pragmatic and lazy way, in my point of view, forcing politics to fit to an election cycle, prolonging the weakness of bad governments and causing more damage; or cutting the rhythm of good government by stopping the political energy and will created to carry out much needed improvements. On the other hand, the ‘Si’ option means to take control of the political chronometer. If a political project delivers the desired results, it may stay in administration until it makes sense to both the executive and more importantly, the People.

The electoral centers closed at 6pm and the counting begun.  The whole process took place with high scrutiny from the political factors, national and international observers, and by the media, and by around 8.15pm the tendency of the People’s will at the ballot box was irreversible. The results were clear enough to be announced to the nation. The CNE (National Electoral Board) called for press conference at 9:30 pm and read the first bulletin with 94.2% of Electoral Acts transmitted.

The ¨Yes¨ has won with 54.36% (6,003,594 votes) while the ¨No¨ obtained 45.63% (5,040,082 votes). Around 70% of registered voters used their voice on this day, and the margin of victory was greater than that predicted by many.

The statistical analysis will come later. The people have made a decision, a path is chosen, and the opposition parties have accepted. The political project led by Hugo Chavez has obtained yet another certificate of legitimization.  The way ahead is a long term project involving the construction of a new kind of Socialism. We know we must avoid the traps form the past and find our own way to reach the utopia of a fair world, based on social justice and the popular power of highly conscious People.

Right now is time for celebration, then we move on to the correction of mistakes, and revitalization of ideas with new light. For me, it’s time for the family. I am travelling to my home town, Merida, always green and shiny, with plenty of flowers and aromatic food served with big smiles of friends and relatives.

We will use this time to contemplate and correct, ready for the next battle to come in our Bolivarian Revolution. But right now, the streets are filled with joy!