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Bolivarian Circles

The Bolivarian Circles are a loosely-knit political and social organization of workers' councils in Venezuela originally begun by President Hugo Chávez in 2001.They are named in honor of Simón Bolívar, the leader who transformed most of South America from Spanish colonial outposts to the independent states now in place. Their significance to Venezuelan politics has trailed off significantly since 2003, as most circles have effectively disbanded. Since then the government has sponsored the creation of Community Planning Councils, which evolved into the Communal Councils that are now considered the base of the participatory democracy.

Internal structure

Chávez organized these circles, which he cites as examples of grassroots and participatory democracy. The circles themselves were purportedly decentralized, made autonomous from any central government oversight, and instead organized on the neighborhood and block level. In 2001, however, Chávez authorized then-Vice President Diosdado Cabello to financially support them, which makes Chávez's opponents skeptical of any claims of autonomy.

Work

Improvement projects undertaken by Bolivarian Circles include health, public transportation, and urban clean-ups.

Prior to 2003 the circles took part in various protests against the political opposition. In January 2002 Bolivarian Circles were reported to have blocked the entrance of the newspaper office El Nacional for over an hour. Numerous journalist been threatened, berated, and abused physically and verbally, particularly by people that identified with the Bolivarian Circles. Bolivian Circles took also part on demonstrations which became violent against the 2002 coup attempt.

Bolivarian Circles beyond Venezuela

Pro-Chávez Bolivarian circles are not exclusive to Venezuela—similar circles of supporters remain widespread in Europe, North America and Australia.

Oath

In 2001, Chávez sworn all official Bolivarian Circles at the first national reunion under the following oath:

I swear in front of you [Chávez], for the God of my parents; I swear for them. I swear for my honor and for my motherland that I will not rest my arms nor my soul until we have broken, finally, the chains that oppress Venezuela as an inheritance of the powerful who destroyed the motherland. I swear that I will completely dedicate my work to the bolivarian ideology, to the popular organization, to popular mobilization, to popular power, to never abandon the struggle; every day and every night that I have left with the bolivarian circles in the bolivarian web, in the bolivarian current, in the bolivarian forces and in the Revolutionary Bolivarian Movement 200 that today is born again after 19 years, by the will of the Venezuelan people. I swear that I will fight without rest for the defense of the revolution, even if I have to sacrifice my life, for the glory of Venezuela. I swear that we will consolidate forever the bolivarian revolution and the motherland of our children. I swear.

Bolivarian Youth

The Bolivarian Youth is a revolutionary anti-capitalist youth organization inspired by the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela. The Bolivarian Youth was founded in Miami by young socialists with the aim of defending the revolutionary process in Latina America and spread the cause of socialism in the United States. It's main purpose is to educate and mobilize revolutionary minded young people. Just like the circles the Bolivarian Youth movement has grown widespread in South and North America, Europe and Australia. The Bolivarian Youth is usually born from local Bolivarian Circles except in Colombia where they are mainly established and managed by the FARC-EP.

Criticism

According to a study by Brigham Young University scholars, the "Bolivarian circles" also help the government identify opponents, who are then denied services..