The Anarchist Alternative: A Perspective on Venezuela and Beyond … by Edward Noria
“Governments of both the right and the left have dominated the political scene since the 20th century and beyond ‘plagued by corruption.’ wrote Translator, & Writer, Edward Noria, Voices of Women Worldwide Representative Member in Caracas, Venezuela.
Meeting Edward Noria on the Internet, we discussed “the political landscape of the 20th and beyond dominated by governments from both the right and the left, each marred by numerous flaws and systemic failures”. Chatting with Edward Noria, I learned about his career path in Venezuela as a Spanish/English translator. He confessed his job is one of the most exciting … “translating what is happening at exactly moment and to be part of the changes happening around the world … exactly the same time !”
Edward Noria is a translator, interpreter, editing/proofreading, blogger, voiceover (dubbing) and subtitling expertise. He specializes in Environment & Ecology, government, politics, religions and esoteric practices. When we last chatted, he was visiting in Texas, and we discussed“the world’s political scene, dominated by both right and left-wing governments”.
“I am always trying to know more and understand better … to be part of the changes …” while I wanted to learn about Venezuela’s Chavismo — a socialist movement initiated by Hugo Chávez — once seen as a revolutionary beacon for the global left, but in reality has been far from the idealistic promises.
At the time, he introduced the anarchist alternative as a third option that transcends the traditional political dichotomy. He explained, “this alternative, while imperfect, is the most appropriate response to the world’s problems. He saw it as a truly left-wing alternative that is inherently more radical than the ‘false left’ and the institutionalized right”.
A False Dilemma and the Mirage of Chavismo
Edward believed that the binary choice between right and left constitutes a false dilemma, and in a truly pluralistic world, there should be infinite possibilities. He chatted, pointing out that in many parts of the world, the dominant left, along with progressive and liberal currents, often lean towards traditional Marxist ideologies and, regrettably, align themselves with pro-Chavez sentiments.
He criticized prominent voices like Naomi Klein, who, despite her advocacy for anti-globalization and anarchism, defended Chavez Frías — a move that Edward found contradictory and indicative of a broader problem within the global left.
Anarchism vs. Chavismo
Edward expressed his concern that even some anarchist groups, both national and international, sympathize with Chavismo. These groups often criticize fellow anarchists, such as those from the Venezuelan publication El Libertario, for engaging with the system through Human Rights NGOs, accusing them of betraying anarchism.
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At times, he humorously noted that while he might dream of walking naked in a utopian world without streets — only flowery gardens — the reality requires adapting to social norms, hence his choice of comfortable and bohemian clothing.
As Edward emphasized: “anarchism is not a marginal ideology; it has roots that trace back to the Paleolithic period, reflecting a deeply ingrained human desire for a harmonious and equitable world.
“Anarchism has gained more visibility in various countries, including Venezuela, where it has entered the national political debate”. He referred to the television interview, where the interviewer compared Hugo Chavez to Mikhail Bakunin, an anarchist philosopher who advocated to destroying oppressive systems — not nations or societies, but the very foundations of domination.
“The anarchist alternative: The mirage of Chavismo and why it has to be eradicated from the roots of the global left” — is very appropriate to the thought patterns of the Trump era … happening in his country — Venezuela.
Anarchism’s Growing Influence in Venezuela
Anarchism is gaining traction in Venezuela, with figures like Rafael Uzcategui, the coordinator of the Human Rights organization PROVEA, who collaborates with the newspaper Tal Cual and has earned national recognition. Edward’s friend, Rodolfo Montes de Oca, is also part of this movement.
Additionally, other influential Venezuelans, though not formally identifying as anarchists, such as Professor Antonio Pasquali and Frank Bracho, a political, social, and ecological activist, align with anarchist ideals in their critiques of the pseudo-left government of Nicolás Maduro. Edward pointed out that these critics are often more scathing of Maduro’s government than the right-wing opposition, highlighting the complexity and diversity within Venezuela’s opposition.
A Call for Alternatives
In concluding, Edward stressed on challenging the binary political framework that dominates current discourse. He urged readers inviting them to look beyond the obvious and to consider the anarchist alternative — a vision for a world that rejects the simplistic categorization of political ideologies and embraces a multitude of possibilities. He stressed the importance of acknowledging and exploring these alternatives, which offer a path toward “the best of all possible worlds.”
Edward’s Call is clear: “… not to dismiss his words and to contemplate the anarchist alternative, even if only for a moment, as a viable response to the failures of the traditional left and right?
For American readers, “the takeaway is that the perceived ‘anarchist alternative’ in Venezuela is less about chaos and more about a fundamental rejection of the traditional power structures that have failed the people”.
Chavismo, once heralded as a solution to the inequities perpetuated by right-wing policies, has instead revealed the mirage of socialism when disconnected from its grassroots ideals. This disillusionment serves as a cautionary tale for the global left, highlighting the importance of accountability, transparency, and genuine representation in governance.
