World socialists gather in Caracas

A working group was established to prepare for the April meeting, particularly for ideological discussion. That gathering is timed to the 200th anniversary that month of a rebel government taking power in Caracas. Now it's the socialists' turn to organize a "solidarity based" society, declared Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan foreign minister.

Last week's meeting took place over three days at the state-owned Hotel Alba, formerly the Caracas Hilton, dedicated now to "socialist tourism." Some 120 participants were on hand representing 50 parties and groups from 39 countries. The United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) hosted the gathering.

A "Commitment of Caracas" coming out of the gathering set forth six overall goals. They included calls for action against the U.S. bases, reversing the coup in Honduras, shaping a "culture of peace," dissemination of revolutionary consciousness, building a worldwide vehicle for cooperative action, and solidarity with all those in struggle.