The Fourth World War,  Féile FM Radio program have organised a public meeting in An Chultúrlann Mac Adam Ó Fiaich - Falls Road -  Belfast at 7pm on Thursday 26th March. 

Francesco Merli, of the Hands Off Venezuela campaign, will give an update on recent events on the ground in Venezuela and take questions on developments in the South American country.

Since Hugo Chavez came to power 10 years ago there have been groundbreaking changes in the way the country is governed and how power is divided. There have been massive advances in literacy and numeracy as well as health and the general well being of the poor, and the adoption of a constitution which was distributed among the entire population.

Ordinary Venezuelas are engaging in the political process like never before, however the revolution is not without its detractors. Since Chavez took power there have been many covert and overt attempts to topple his government with the most audacious being the US sponsored coup d'etat in 2002. It was spectacularly defeated by the sheer power of venezuelan's on the street's in support of the abducted chavez, who was eventually returned, unscathed, to re take the presidency.

The revolution has drawn much attention from the Government of the USA who regard Chavez as a threat to their hegemony in the hemisphere. With Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia and other countries adopting more socialist policies, the South American continent is undergoing a massive political, cultural and social transition.

The speaker will also address the UNISON community and Voluntary Branch AGM on Thursday 26th March at 12.30pm, Galway House - Belfast. Everyone Welcome.