Rebels Defy Encirclement: Continuation of the Pancha Vásquez Commune (Second Part)
The latest addition to the Communal Resilience Saga takes us to the Pancha Vásquez settlement in the sweltering Llanos region of Apure State, Venezuela. This area is recognized for its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, but it's also a hotbed of political and social contradictions, including disputes over land ownership, Indigenous rights, and spillover from neighboring Colombia's internal strain.
Nestled on the outside of Elorza, in the southwest of the state, Pancha Vásquez is an extensive commune, encompassing fourteen communal councils. Three of these councils dedicate their focus to agriculture, while the remaining eleven are centered on cattle farming. The majority of the land in this expansive region is owned by small to medium-scale producers, who take pride in their equestrian lineage and local folklore while upholding Elorza's significance in Hugo Chávez's biography as a former military base for the charismatic leader during the 1980s.
Following Part I's exploration of the Pancha Vásquez Commune's background and productive activities, we now delve into how its inhabitants have battled the devastating effects of the U.S. embargo. The following piece will disclose the years that a young army officer named Hugo Chávez spent in Elorza.
A Gathering and Dispensing Hub
In a recent development for the Pancha Vásquez Commune, a Collection and Distribution Center was unveiled as part of the government's Communal Circuits project. The center boasts a 440 square meter, single-story building outfitted with walk-in refrigerators. The initiative received funding from the government and was constructed with volunteer labor.
Beginnings of the Project
Juan Fernández: In 2018, our commune inaugurated direct barter exchanges with other communes, primarily with El Maizal, when the economic war against the Venezuelan people was at its peak. Swapping goods with El Maizal was undeniably enriching; it allowed the two communities to bond and fulfill their needs.
We opened a collective store known as "Abasto Comunal Pancha Vásquez-El Maizal," where people from both communes could purchase products at cheaper prices. The idea came from Chávez's teachings but was also fueled by the situation we were encountering.
At that time, acquiring cornmeal was almost impossible there, but we managed to obtain it from El Maizal. Conversely, meat was a luxury few could afford in El Maizal's Simón Planas municipality, but we made it accessible to everyone in Pancha Vásquez.
Our store in Elorza remained operational until 2020. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic struck us hard. Combined with fuel shortages, the pandemic shuttered the barter project. We, however, gleaned invaluable lessons from the project.
Approximately two years ago, the Communal Economic Circuits were established by the Ministry of Communes. The goal of these Circuits is to promote communal production and distribution, leading Pancha Vásquez to submit a proposal to be recognized as a meat and cheese provider. After careful consideration, the Ministry accepted the proposal.
Yet, providing refrigerated meat and cheese necessitates a storage facility. The Pancha Vásquez Collection and Distribution Center is designed to meet that need. On the commune's ninth anniversary in 2023, an application was submitted to the Ministry of Communes for financing the center, which was approved, resulting in the center's opening on the commune's tenth anniversary. The undertaking was made possible by the dedication of some communards.
As with any commune establishment, there were sacrifices. To build this substantial facility carefully with every penny and capture community support, some resources were purchased at cost, and the plot of land where the Center was erected was bestowed by Carmen Alguilar, Juan Fernández's mother.
Building a commune undeniably involves some sacrifices... but also rewards!
Objectives
Róger Rodríguez: The U.S. embargo and economic war against our people have taken a heavy toll on our production. A primary obstacle is marketing our goods due to the scarcity of fuel. Moreover, intermediaries continue to plague the farming community. They are the joy thieves of today.
With the Collection and Distribution Center within our commune, we can strategize better and reduce our reliance on intermediaries. Additionally, the center will help address another issue: during the rainy season, the price of cheese skyrockets while its production increases, while the opposite happens in the dry season. This inequality has caused many producers financial distress.
One of the advantages of the new center will be the opportunity for producers to store cheese during the rainy season and wait for prices to escalate before selling it.
Finally, another perk of the Pancha Vásquez Collection and Distribution Center is forthcoming. With the installation of a "Communal Abasto" store, local producers will be able to purchase agricultural supplies at more affordable prices and, in some cases, exchange cheese or meat to secure the supplies they require.
The Influence of the U.S. Blockade
The impact of sanctions has been particularly harsh in this region adjoining Colombia. Here, inhabitants from the Pancha Vásquez commune discuss the effects of the unilateral economic coercion.
Foundations
Juan Fernández: The U.S. government, along with politicians like Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, and the interests they represent, instigated a blockade against our country to punish Venezuela for its efforts to establish a new socialist model. They wished to make an example of us.
However, the embargo has also occurred due to a cadre of Venezuelan traitors with no love for their country, who are indifferent to the welfare of their fellow citizens. Fortunately, they have not succeeded, but the damage has been immense.
This doesn't imply that we are always right here. Sometimes it feels as though the embargo has also fostered an internal embargo: some political actors do not show commitment to the revolution. Addressing these issues remains a pending task.
Consequences
Sergio Calzadilla: The embargo has had various, interconnected ramifications. In terms of production, we face two principal issues: fuel and agricultural inputs. I would estimate that production has fallen by approximately half in our commune. However, this isn't limited to our area; it's a broad phenomenon.
I am an agronomist and have been researching cattle production in Apure state. A few years ago, there were 1,865,000 cattle heads in Apure, but today there are only around 800,000. Poor feed quality, restricted access to supplements, labor loss due to migration, and a decline in the quality of the herds have contributed to the decrease. Maintaining a robust genetic pool has become increasingly challenging under present circumstances.
In addition to livestock and crop cultivation, water pumps are essential for watering the cattle during the dry season. Problems with power, fuel shortages, and high maintenance expenses have caused many pumps to malfunction.
Looking at agricultural production in the municipality, an estimated 90 percent drop can be attributed to the embargo. Recently, agricultural output has started to regenerate gradually, but we have a long road ahead.
The primary reason for the dramatic decrease in agriculture is the rise in input costs. Inputs have become unaffordable for most farmers, and global warming is also contributing to the production challenges. Increasing temperatures and extended dry seasons have had a tangible impact.
Fuel Supply Issues and Communal Responses
Juan Fernández: Fuel shortages have been an issue for producers since around 2017. The embargo worsened the situation by encouraging local gangs to hoard gasoline, which they then sold at double or triple the official price. The international (i.e. non-subsidized) price is 50 cents, but these criminals were selling gasoline for as much as two to three dollars per liter.
Gasoline distribution is currently more stable, with each household receiving 40 liters twice per week at the official international price. However, procurement of diesel fuel remains a significant problem. PDVSA dispenses diesel fuel with a rationing system based on license plate numbers, but only larger producers possess the permits (permiso de mina). The subsidized price of diesel is 18 cents per liter, or $36 for a 200-liter drum.
However, there are black market dealers who sell diesel for $1 per liter. Ranchers require a significant amount of diesel fuel to transport milk, cheese, and meat to either the Collection Center or the market, maintain farm equipment, and maintain the fields with heavy machinery, among other things.
The price difference between subsidized and unofficial diesel can place small to mid-sized producers under immense economic pressure. The last time I purchased diesel at the discounted price was in November 2023, costing $36 for a 200-liter drum. Now, it costs $60 for the same amount.
After President Maduro's visit to Apure in early 2024, the “Fuel Saturación Plan” was implemented. While there’s been a slight increase in production since its implementation, issues still persist, particularly regarding fuel transportation, which contracts during times of low demand.
Crucial Perspectives from Ranchers
Petra Cedeño: The embargo has various dimensions. Agricultural production has been most impacted, falling an estimated 90 percent due to the unavailability of diesel fuel. These limitations are exacerbated by the high cost of agricultural inputs.
As a cattle farmer, shortages of diesel fuel affect my production, but we also face other challenges. On our farm, we produce cheese, but we had difficulty obtaining rennet, which affected cheese production.
Finally, the social aspect of the embargo should not be overlooked. Because of poverty and poor services such as electricity, many people have left their homes, primarily heading to nearby Colombia but, more recently, striving to reach the United States via the Darién Gap.
This exodus pains me, as I love this land, its culture, and its traditions and does not wish to see so many people leaving… but truthfully, the situation is difficult, particularly for the youth. This situation inspires resentment towards the United States, which I believe is unnecessarily focused on causing suffering for working people in Venezuela. They claim they want to bring about "regime change," but wouldn’t change be our prerogative?
Carmelo Ramón Barrios: Every individual has been affected in some capacity by the crisis. Before the embargo, I used to produce 80 to 100 liters of milk per day. Now my production has dropped significantly, to forty liters.
The embargo has also brought about other problems. In Caracas you use the bolivar and the U.S. dollar. Here, the primary currency is the Colombian peso. We are only two hours from the border, so when inflation affected the bolivar, merchants, providers of agricultural inputs, and fuel resellers started conducting transactions in Colombian pesos.
At first, this shift was difficult for small farmers, but we have since adjusted to this "new normal." However, it's less than ideal. Venezuela should have a strong, reliable currency!
Gerardo Ramírez: Complete, I would say that the embargo has set us back around 50 years. Is that an exaggeration? No! We've resorted to utilizing donkeys because of the fuel shortage, and we have frequent blackouts due to electricity problems. Farm equipment is out of commission, and we can't afford to maintain it.
I once had three working tractors, but now I only have one. And I am one of the lucky ones! Many producers cannot maintain their farm equipment due to the high cost of maintenance.
Innovative Solutions
In the face of adversity, Pancha Vásquez communards have developed creative ways to endure and prosper under the embargo.
Ismael Dun: The commune is our lifeline. I'll share three examples. First, barter exchanges between El Maizal and Pancha Vásquez communes prior to the pandemic guaranteed our cornmeal supply while providing El Maizal with our meat and cheese. Initiated by the residents themselves, this grassroots effort provided a viable solution to a tangible problem while strengthening ties between the communes.
Additionally, since early 2024, Pancha Vásquez has served as a diesel distribution hub. Finally, as we look to the future, our new Collection and Distribution Center will improve the selling conditions for our cheese and meat and provide us with an opportunity to purchase agricultural inputs at more affordable prices, bypassing commercial resellers. We will greatly appreciate being able to avoid them in the future.
In my perspective, the commune is the solution to our problems. Comandante Chávez said, "Commune or nothing!" He was correct.
Roger Rodríguez: I am at a loss for words to describe the impact of the embargo. On our family farm, we dropped from 350 heads of cattle to 40. But through sheer determination, we have persevered. We now breed goats and sheep instead of cows.
The commune has provided us with immense support. If we find ourselves without gasoline, gasoline, or diesel, there is always a helping hand. I am a Christian, and I hold collaboration and solidarity in high esteem… values that the commune fosters!
Sergio Calzadilla: In Apure, we are witnessing two significant shifts in production. Agriculture is taking a backseat mostly due to the exorbitant costs of inputs. Prior to the embargo, many ranchers would grow corn and other crops as supplementary feed for the cattle. This practice has ceased to exist.
Second, farmers are transitioning from cattle to buffalo. Buffalo are more robust, and their milk is richer; it requires fewer liters of cow milk to produce a kilo of cheese compared to buffalo milk, as buffalo milk has more fat and a higher lactose content.
Glenda Aguilera: About two years ago, I began producing homemade artisanal products like jams, milk cream, milk candy, hot sauces, and more, to sell at the communal market. This has been essential for supplementing my household income during these challenging times.
I also maintain a medicinal herb garden and produce coconut oil and noni tincture. Noni is said to cure various maladies, from bunions to certain cancers. When it's difficult to obtain medication, these alternatives are even more important.
Sergio Calzadilla: The embargo teaches us that we need to rely less on imports. That is why I am advocating for a shift away from conventional agricultural inputs within the commune, moving toward organic alternatives. Combining the ideological with the technical will be crucial to a successful transition.
One of my ambitions is to establish a plant to transform manure into organic fertilizer on a larger scale. All animal manure can be converted into bio-gas and solid or liquid organic fertilizers. I believe that an initiative of this nature would be feasible, as it would be both economically viable and enable us to become less reliant on imported inputs.
Petra Cedeño: The Pancha Vásquez Commune has been a beacon of hope during our darkest days, ensuring our access to cornmeal, serving as a space to address our problems, and now overseeing fair diesel distribution, which is vital for our production.
The embargo reinforces our belief in the power of grassroots activism and the importance of building strong, interdependent communities to resist oppressive forces. As communards continue to band together, their resilience will shine brighter and inspire hope amidst the shadows of the U.S. blockade.
- The Collection and Distribution Center in Pancha Vásquez Commune is a Venezuelan initiative, part of the Communal Economic Circuits project, overseen by the Ministry of Communes.
- The U.S. embargo and economic war against Venezuela have caused significant hardships, with production falling by approximately half in some areas, as discussed by Juan Fernández, a member of Pancha Vásquez Commune.
- The Pancha Vásquez Collection and Distribution Center aims to address issues like duress caused by the embargo, excessive reliance on intermediaries, and unusually high prices during the rainy season.
- Politicians from both the United States and Venezuela, such as Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, and Hugo Chávez, have played significant roles in driving the economic and political conflicts that impact the Pancha Vásquez Commune in war-and-conflicts-ridden Venezuela.
