One of the main events in the political life of Latin America is the Fifth Congress of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (USPV). The event opened on March 5 in Caracas is not a short-term event. It will take place throughout the year in online and offline formats at various venues throughout the country. Moreover, in parallel with the main political dialogue the 4th Congress of the youth wing of the USPV will also take place.
Grigory Petushkov, the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Russia, took part in the large-scale conference. Upon his return from Caracas, he spoke with the press service of the National Council.
– What is the United Socialist Party of Venezuela? What are its key premises?
– Despite its relative youth – the USPV is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary these days – the party is the largest leftist movement in the entire Western Hemisphere. Its ranks include more than seven million people that means that every fourth citizen of the Bolivarian Republic has a membership card of the USPV. The founder of the movement was the President of Venezuela in 1998-2013, the great friend of our country, Hugo Chavez. His tenure as the head of the state is associated with a number of serious changes, primarily in the socio-economic sphere addressed to working people. During that period it was possible to achieve a grandiose reduction in the level of unemployment, in general to cope with inflation and funding for health care, education increased significantly. Ordinary Venezuelans associate all changes for the better with the activities of the socialists.
The party itself is a vivid example of the social and political unity of the vast majority of workers in all sectors of the national economy, peasants, youth, representatives of small and medium-sized businesses from the countryside and the city. It is difficult to find a national school of cadres of such magnitude in the history of party building. We see that all the undertakings of Hugo Chavez are successfully continued by President Nicolas Maduro who heads the party at the present stage.
– In what capacity did the National Youth Council of Russia take part in the work of the congresses? What was the main agenda of the forum?
– Diosdado Cabello Rondon, the First Deputy Chairman of the USPV, sent an invitation to the Congress to the National Council. The message said: “The holding of both political events comes at a time when the Venezuelans are preparing for a new phase of the Bolivarian Revolution announced by Comrade President Nicolas Maduro Moros and our National Leadership.” The topics of a new configuration of international relations overcoming the blockade imposed on the country by the United States and the European Union and overcoming the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic by the national economy sounded like a red thread through most of speeches from the platform of the congress.
– For you as the Head of the National Youth Council of Russia it must have been especially important to participate in the work of the congress of the youth wing of the USPV?
– Undoubtedly! During the youth congress there were many bright speeches and interesting initiatives. I remember the words of Dario Dugarte, the party cell member from a small town in the state of Merida. He said: “The strengthening of youth of the party is visible at this congress. We have the great political party! The right steps are being taken and in the right direction!” Do you know what caused such emotional assessments? The leadership of Venezuela announced the creation of the International University of Communications in the country. Through the Internet the new educational institution will cover all corners of this large South American state. And for two thousand young people came to Caracas including from the hinterback, where there are not so many high-quality specialists in the field of new technologies, it is clear that the authorities are progressively solving the issue of employment for new generations, providing social elevators.
– Will such initiatives have a positive impact on the development of international youth cooperation?
– The National Youth Council of Russia has been successfully and fruitfully cooperating with the youth wing of the USPV for several years. The pandemic swept the world failed to prevent the expansion of contacts. Moreover, the online format of meetings over the past two years has made it possible to involve in debates, in discussing the pressing problems of our time. Many young people from our countries who are not indifferent take an active life position, advocate the rapprochement of Russia, the Eurasian space as a whole and the states of Latin America.
A breakthrough in this regard will be the First Russian-Venezuelan Youth Forum.
– What is this event? When will it take place, and who will be able to participate in it?
– The National Youth Council of Russia and the youth wing of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela have agreed to conduct the forum that will be held with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. On the sidelines of the congress we met with Rander Ismael Pena, the Commissioner for International Relations of the Youth Wing of the USPV. He is the well-known Venezuelan diplomat. He holds the post of the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for the Latin American Region. During the meeting we discussed issues of bilateral and multilateral youth cooperation in a wide range. It was decided that the First Russian-Venezuelan Youth Forum will be held in 2022. Its delegates will be young professionals from both countries. Diplomats, representatives of state structures, activists of public associations, scientists and cultural figures will take part in discussions with them.
The National Council will definitely announce the start of accepting applications for the forum, so we urge everyone to carefully follow the news of our association on the website and in social networks!
– What other areas of bilateral cooperation are supported by the National Youth Council of Russia?
– Another important meeting took place on the sidelines of the USPV Congress. I spoke with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mervyn Enrique Maldonado Urdaneta. He is the new generation politician, the President Maduro appointed him to a responsible public post just over a year ago. With the name of Maldonado Urdaneta in the country many people associate the continuation of comprehensive work to solve the problems of youth, create new jobs, and create new public organizations. During the meeting the minister noted the importance for Caracas of the participation of young Venezuelans in full-fledged international cooperation. He thanked the National Council for the work done, which, he said, is so significant for the hearts of millions of people.
With the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Bolivarian Republic we discussed the possibility of signing an intergovernmental agreement between Russia and Venezuela on cooperation in the field of youth policy. Until the end of this month the National Council will hold a video conference with leaders of youth organizations from Latin America.
I want to remind you that the Presidents of the Russian Federation and Venezuela, Vladimir Putin and Nicolas Maduro, agreed to continue the delegation exchange and contacts at different levels during a telephone conversation on March 1. We unconditionally support building up the strategic partnership between Moscow and Caracas and stand for a systematic increase in the number of joint projects.
– Did you assess topical issues of international security and Russia’s foreign policy within the framework of the congress of Venezuelan socialists in which you took part?
– This was discussed in many speeches. They contained words of unconditional support for Russia. The tone of the discussion was set by the leader of the party, President Nicolas Maduro who expressed strong support for Russia’s decisive actions and condemned the destabilizing activity of the United States and NATO. The Head of the Bolivarian Republic has repeatedly stressed the importance of countering the campaign of lies and disinformation launched by Western countries.
On the sidelines of the congress I was asked numerous questions about the situation in Ukraine. It should be noted that the participation of the National Youth Council of Russia in a large-scale forum aroused considerable interest in the Venezuelan media. I gave several interviews to representatives of the leading national television and radio companies, and in their questions one could feel sympathy for our country, an understanding of its position, its actions within the framework of the ongoing special operation.
In this regard I cannot but express my deep gratitude to the Russian embassy in Venezuela provided invaluable assistance during the visit to Caracas and in conducting interviews with the media, in particular.
