Venezuela assigns Angel Prado from El Maizal as Minister of Communes, according to Maduro's decision.
Fresh Take:
Caracas, June 8, 2024 - The Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, has made a bold move by appointing grassroots leader Ángel Prado as the new Minister of Communes and Social Movements.
Known as one of the most highly-regarded figures in Venezuela's popular movements, Prado currently serves as the mayor of Simón Planas and spokesperson for the El Maizal Commune. During a broadcast address on Thursday, Maduro expressed his belief that Prado, with his roots in the communities and success in El Maizal, was the perfect choice for leading the initiative to establish communes and communal councils.
"A leader who comes from the grassroots is crucial for this campaign," Maduro asserted, promising to reform existing structures to better support communal projects.
With his new role, Prado expressed great commitment and announced plans for a "national meeting" to unite grassroots organizations in the Caribbean nation. "We may have faced disruptions, but now is the time for unity," he stated. "There are many challenges, such as the upcoming presidential election on July 28, that await us."
The appointment of Prado was warmly welcomed by popular power organizations. In Caracas, the Panal 2021 Commune voiced optimism, saying they hoped the new Minister would capitalize on his experience. In Mérida state, the Che Guevara Commune praised Prado's audacity and clear vision.
Founded in 2009, El Maizal is one of Venezuela's most prestigious communes, encompassing 22 communal councils and an estimated 4,500 families across Lara and Portuguese states. Over the years, El Maizal has developed productive methods, focusing on corn cultivation and cattle rearing, and gained attention for taking over idle lands and means of production during Venezuela's economic crisis.
While historical details about Prado's involvement in popular movements or El Maizal Commune are somewhat limited, Prado rose to prominence by challenging local bureaucratic structures and eventually winning the mayorship of Simón Planas after a fiercely contested election.
In the Ministry of Communes, Prado takes over from Guy Vernáez, who previously replaced Jorge Arreaza in February. Vernáez remains active in the Federal Government Council, responsible for funding popular power initiatives. One of Vernáze's most notable achievements was coordinating the National Popular Consultation in April 2024, where grassroots assemblies picked projects for funding from the Venezuelan state, ranging from infrastructure repairs to supporting production means.
Former President Hugo Chávez described communes as "fundamental units in constructing socialism," intended to be democratic, self-governing projects cumulating to form larger structures with new social relations. The Communard Union, one such initiative, has been championed by El Maizal as a means to form ties between communities.
- Ángel Prado, the new Minister of Communes and Social Movements in Venezuela, has a history of challenging local bureaucratic structures and has risen to prominence through his grassroots activism.
- El Maizal Commune, where Prado served as spokesperson, is one of Venezuela's most prestigious communes, known for its productive methods and taking over idle lands during the economic crisis.
- With the upcoming presidential election on July 28, the appointment of Prado as Minister of Communes and Social Movements is seen as a strategic move in the ongoing political landscape of war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation.
- Prado's leadership in El Maizal and his commitment to unity among grassroots organizations may be key to navigating the challenges ahead in Venezuelan politics, as reported in general news.
