Siege Persists: The Ongoing Resistance of Pancha Vásquez Commune (Continuation)
Communal Resistance in the Heart of the Plains - Journey to Pancha Vásquez
Welcome, friend, to the latest installment in our series, Communal Resistance, where we delve into the tales of resilience and resourcefulness in various communities across the globe. Today, we're heading to the Llanos region of Venezuela, specifically the Pancha Vásquez commune in Apure State. This region is steeped in a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, but it's also ridden with political and social challenges.
Pancha Vásquez is a sprawling commune, boasting fourteen communal councils. Three of these focus on agriculture, while the rest cater to cattle rearing. The land here is primarily in the hands of small to mid-sized producers, who take great pride in their equestrian traditions, folklore, and the distinctive role that Elorza played in Hugo Chávez's formative years.
In this two-part series, we'll explore how the communards of Pancha Vásquez have banded together to combat the devastating effects of the US blockade and reaffirm their commitment to Chávez's vision. Here in Part I, let's take a glimpse at the commune's remarkable Collection and Distribution Center.
A Hub of Resistance - The Collection and Distribution Center
Recently, the Pancha Vásquez commune inaugurated a Collection and Distribution Center as part of the Communal Circuits initiative. This center is a 440m² single-story building equipped with walk-in refrigerators. The project was funded by the government and constructed with the help of volunteer labor.
Origins of the Project
In 2018, the commune began to trade goods directly with other communes, particularly with El Maizal, during the height of the economic war against the Venezuelan people. This initiative, dubbed "Abasto Comunal Pancha Vásquez-El Maizal," was a poweful step towards building real ties between communities, outside the capitalist market.
The center was a response to the overwhelming scarcity of essential goods such as cornmeal and the luxury of meat, which were practically unattainable in Simón Planas township, home to El Maizal commune. However, the COVID pandemic and fuel shortages brought the project to a grinding halt.
Fast forward to two years ago, when the Communal Economic Circuits were introduced by the Ministry of Communes. The Pancha Vásquez commune was selected as a meat and cheese producer. To handle meat and cheese distribution, the Collection and Distribution Center became indispensable.
On the ninth anniversary of the Pancha Vásquez Commune in 2023, a funding request for the center was submitted to the Ministry of Communes, which was granted USD $69,000 from SAFONAPP. One year later, on their tenth anniversary, the center's doors were opened.
Objectives
The Collection and Distribution Center aims to reduce the commune's dependence on intermediaries, who stifle small producers by offering poor prices, especially during fuel shortages. Additionally, the center allows the commune to store perishables during the rainy season and sell them during the dry season when prices are more favorable. Finally, it will soon house an "Abasto Comunal" store where producers can purchase agricultural inputs at lower prices and, in some cases, exchange cheese or meat for the necessary goods.
Impact of the US Blockade
The US blockade has imposed significant challenges on this region, bordering Colombia. Here, we'll hear from the communards themselves as they share their experiences and thoughts on the impact of unilateral coercive measures.
The Origins
Juan Fernández, one of the driving forces behind the barter project, explains that the blockade was imposed by the interests behind Biden, Trump, Obama, and other US presidents, who sought to punish Venezuela for challenging the status quo. Despite this, the blockade was also the result of internal treachery. Juan emphasizes that the commune is not perfect, and addressing issues of disloyalty to the revolution remains a work in progress.
Consequences
Sergio Calzadilla, an agronomist, offers insights into the effects of the blockade on cattle production in Apure. He estimates that agricultural and cattle production dropped by approximately 90% due to the unavailability of diesel fuel and the exorbitant cost of agricultural inputs.
Despite these challenges, Pancha Vásquez communards have found creative ways to persevere and adapt. From manufacturing their own animal feed to breeding goats and sheep instead of cattle, the commune is a beacon of determination and community spirit. And let's not forget their resourcefulness in creating a distribution system for fuel during the crisis.
Stay tuned for Part II, where we'll delve into young army officer and future president Hugo Chávez's time in Elorza, the closest urban center to the Pancha Vásquez Commune. We'll learn more about the strong connections that existed between Chávez and the commune, and how those connections have shaped the community's journey in the face of adversity.
- The Collection and Distribution Center, inaugurated by the Pancha Vásquez commune, serves as a hub of resistance, enabling the community to reduce their dependence on intermediaries, storage of perishables during the rainy season, and operation of an 'Abasto Comunal' store.
- Pancha Vásquez communards, despite the severe impacts of the US blockade on their region, have demonstrated remarkable resilience, developing alternative methods for cattle production, manufacturing animal feed, and creating a fuel distribution system during the crisis.
- Juan Fernández, a driving force behind the barter project in Pancha Vásquez, attributes the imposition of the US blockade to both external interests and internal treachery, acknowledging that addressing disloyalty to the revolution remains a work in progress.
