[Marxism] Supermodel amazed at Venezuela

[Louis Proyect]

Supermodel Naomi Campbell "Amazed" at Venezuelan Social Programs
November 1st 2007, by Chris Carlson – Venezuelanalysis.com

Mérida, November 1, 2007 (venezuelanalysis.com)- Venezuelan President 
Hugo Chavez inaugurated the first stage of a new housing complex, 
Commune Villa de Sol, in Caracas yesterday. The president was 
accompanied by British supermodel Naomi Campbell who was in the country 
to meet with Chavez and to learn about the Bolivarian Revolution. 
Campbell expressed her amazement with the social programs of the Chavez 
government.

"I am amazed by what I have seen here in only 24 hours," said Campbell 
after visiting the new Children's Heart Hospital in Caracas. "It's 
marvelous to know and see what is being implemented here in Venezuela."

Campbell accompanied President Chavez on Wednesday as he inaugurated 
housing for 120 families in a new apartment complex, Commune Villa de 
Sol, in a lower-class sector of Caracas. A total of six apartment 
buildings, of three-stories each, were handed over to families from the 
surrounding community.

The local residents, who have been living in squalid conditions without 
running water, bathrooms, or basic services for the last 25 years, 
exchanged their old steel-container housing for modern apartments. Each 
family will have a two year's grace period before having to begin 
payments on their new homes, and will pay according to their income.

The first stage of the complex was built with a total investment of Bs. 
8 billion (US$ 3.7 million) and includes telephone, gas, and electrical 
service, as well as a preschool and center for "popular power" to 
exercise communal government. The apartments vary between 3 and 4 
bedrooms, and have 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room, dining room, and 
parking.

Upon their arrival, Campbell and Chavez were greeted with applause and 
cheers from the residents of the sector. The supermodel carried a tape 
recorder and camera and asked many questions as Chavez's ministers 
explained the project to move people out of the structurally dangerous 
shanty houses and into the new complex.

Minister of Participation and Social Development David Velasquez 
explained the concept of communal government that is exercised through 
the Communal Councils in each community. According to Velasquez, there 
are now more than 35,000 Communal Councils throughout the country, and 
more than 1,500 communes that are already practicing communal power in 
their communities. He explained that the Villa del Sol commune is an 
example of this new political structure.

"Since the year before, and this year, we have been testing these 
processes, and it has been shown that the people are capable of 
efficiently managing and administrating resources and giving better 
results in less time than private companies or even the very 
institutions of the state," he explained.

Campbell applauded the social programs of the Chavez government and 
emphasized in particular those programs directed toward the most 
disadvantaged sectors of society. The British supermodel is a 
representative of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and traveled to 
Venezuela to discuss humanitarian topics with President Hugo Chavez, and 
to see the Bolivarian Revolution first hand.

"I have been reading and listening to my friends, and I wanted to see it 
for myself," she said in response to journalists. "I'm marveled, in only 
24 hours here, to see all the love that is reflected in the social 
programs that are extended especially to the women and children of this 
country."

Campbell interviewed Chavez in the presidential palace for four hours on 
Tuesday, asking him "challenging questions," according to Chavez, 
including whether Chavez believes the "empire is going to fall."
Campbell stated the possibility of organizing a future meeting between 
the South African leader Nelson Mandela and the Venezuelan president.