Black Communities and Venezuela Find Common Ground

Venezuela’s government has faced ongoing challenges from the United States, and advocates argue for strong solidarity from Black and African communities. The article highlights five reasons for this support, framing Venezuela’s actions as a force against imperialism and a project of Afro-descendant empowerment.

Afro-Descendant Population and Recognition

Venezuela has seen a significant increase in the self-identification of its population as Afro-descendant, rising from 0.7% in 2010 to 49% currently. This shift is attributed to consciousness-raising and cultural programming efforts by the Afro-Venezuelan Network and maroon communities. The Bolivarian Revolution, particularly under Hugo Chávez, facilitated this work through initiatives like a presidential commission for preventing racial discrimination, a liaison office for Afro-descendant communities, and the creation of a vice ministry for foreign relations with Africa. May has been designated as Afro-Venezuelan month, with May 10th recognized as Afro-Venezuelan Day, celebrating the heritage of Venezuelans of African descent. Many Afro-Venezuelans have supported the Bolivarian Revolution due to recognition and improvements in cultural, educational, and material conditions, including housing and healthcare.

U.S. Heating Oil Assistance

Between 2005 and 2013, the Venezuelan Bolivarian Revolutionary government provided free and discounted heating oil to approximately 1.7 million low-income U.S. households. This assistance, facilitated through a partnership between PDVSA and CITGO, benefited families impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Pan-African Solidarity and International Relations

The Bolivarian Revolutionary government has demonstrated solidarity with anti-imperialist governments and movements globally. A particularly strong relationship was established with the Socialist Libyan Arab Jamahiriya under Muammar Al Qaddafi, with Chávez visiting Libya five times. In 2009, Chávez called for African unity, stating that Africa should be “of the Africans.” Qaddafi was awarded a replica of Simón Bolívar’s sword, symbolizing a new era of cooperation between Africa and Latin America. Venezuela continued to support Qaddafi’s government during attacks by the EU/NATO. This commitment to revolutionary Pan-African solidarity has continued under President Maduro, as evidenced by the Bolivarian Institute’s participation in the Alliance of Sahel States anti-imperialist conference in Niger in November 2024.

Debt Repayment to Haiti

In 2010, President Chávez announced that Venezuela would waive Haiti’s $295 million PetroCaribe debt, asserting that Haiti had no debt to Venezuela but rather, Venezuela owed a historical debt to Haiti. This debt stemmed from Haiti’s support to Simón Bolívar in 1815, when Haiti provided financial and military assistance to liberate Latin America from Spanish colonial rule. Venezuela has worked to repay this debt through the PetroCaribe program, which provided discounted oil to Haiti and other Caribbean nations, reducing their dependence on U.S. corporate interests.

Support for Cuba and its African Solidarity

Venezuela has provided support to the Cuban government, which has also faced sanctions and a blockade for over six decades. The article emphasizes Cuba’s extensive assistance to Africa, including medical brigades, infrastructure development, education, military advisors, and soldiers who fought against apartheid forces in Angola and Namibia. Venezuela’s aid to Cuba, including recent oil shipments, indirectly benefits Africa due to Cuba’s historical and ongoing support for the continent.

The article concludes by encouraging resistance to U.S. imperialist actions and referencing the recent resignation of a Black U.S. military admiral who reportedly refused to participate in an order to harm Caribbean fishermen.