Two excellent recent articles on Venezuela

The Battle for the United Socialist Party of Venezuela

December 1st 2007, by Kiraz Janicke - Venezuelanalysis.com

As the struggle to deepen Venezuela's revolution through the framework of the pending constitutional reforms intensifies, so too does the battle to create the new United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). The simultaneous campaign for constitutional reforms and the formation of the PSUV means the two are intricately connected.

What’s Really Happening in Venezuela?

November 29th 2007, by Lee Sustar - Socialist Worker (USA)

For the U.S. mainstream media, Venezuela’s vote on constitutional reforms December 2 is simply the latest power grab in authoritarian President Hugo Chávez’s bid to crush dissent, make himself president for life and impose a state-controlled economy. The view from the streets of the Caracas barrio of 23 de Enero, however, is very different.