César Trompiz, the Venezuelan Ambassador to Bolivia, engaged U.S. and Canadian delegates in a thoughtful dialogue about the current state of Venezuelan communes, agricultural independence, and the implications of U.S. foreign policy on Venezuela. He expressed optimism about internal developments while highlighting the need for self-sustainability, particularly in agriculture, and addressed concerns regarding relations with neighboring countries and global partners like China.
In a recent visit, members of a U.S. and Canadian delegation met with César Trompiz, Venezuela’s Ambassador to Bolivia, in the embassy’s cultural center. Instead of a formal presentation, Ambassador Trompiz chose a Q&A format to engage directly with attendees, allowing for a candid exchange of ideas. Participants could freely pose questions, enabling rich discussion on various topics relating to Venezuela’s socio-political landscape.
Ambassador Trompiz, a former professor in governmental relations and a long-time revolutionary, addressed the state of Venezuelan communes. He explained their evolution, highlighting an initial reliance on oil revenues which shifted due to blockades and a transition to self-sustainability through community power. As a result, social laws favoring fishing and farming have led to an increase in budget allocation towards sustainable agricultural projects.
Discussing the challenges of past agricultural dependency, Trompiz emphasized the transformation towards self-reliance in food production. With the abandonment of imported seed technologies like those from Monsanto, Venezuelan farmers now cultivate indigenous seeds. He noted that Venezuela has drastically reduced its food imports from 80% to 10% of what the nation consumes.
When asked about recent presidential elections, Trompiz voiced disappointment at some regional leaders who criticized the official results, relating it to their own political instability. He suggested that this criticism stemmed from the need for these leaders to establish their positions following a breakdown in alliances with the Democratic Party in the U.S., not necessarily reflective of Venezuela’s political landscape.
Ambassador Trompiz described the relationship with Bolivia as highly positive, referencing historical ties between their nations. He acknowledged challenges from external actors, particularly the U.S., who have attempted to influence Bolivian politics against socialist movements.
On military tensions, Trompiz voiced concern regarding U.S. sanctions, characterizing them as acts of war that have contributed significantly to fatalities in Venezuela. He recounted military threats posed during Donald Trump’s administration and reiterated Venezuela’s readiness to defend itself, supported in part through alliances such as those with Russia.
Regarding relations with China, Trompiz highlighted a pragmatic partnership focused solely on economic cooperation without political interference. He noted that while there are significant ties in the oil sector, the relationship is devoid of imposed conditionality.
Addressing regional and global politics, Trompiz remarked on the dynamics within BRICS and the economic fallout from political coups in nations like Peru. He also clarified misconceptions about Venezuelan migration, asserting that many emigrants are returning as the economic conditions have started to improve.
As a final note, Ambassador Trompiz discussed the larger implications of U.S. policy and nationalism on global energy politics and the economic stability of both regions, raising concerns over the escalation of nationalistic sentiments in the U.S. and their potential consequences for migrant labor dynamics. The session wrapped with expressions of gratitude from the delegation as the sun set over the embassy grounds.
The discussion with Ambassador Trompiz provided deep insights into Venezuela’s evolving socio-economic landscape, emphasizing themes of self-sustainability and resilience in the face of external challenges. Key takeaways include the gradual shift from dependency on oil to local agricultural production, the importance of regional alliances, and the ongoing impact of U.S. sanctions. The ambassador’s remarks reflect both optimism and caution in navigating international relations and domestic policies amidst significant geopolitical tensions.
Original Source: www.peoplesworld.org
