Venezuela: Maduro Announces New Public Benefits for 2018

In his annual end-of-the-year address, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced several new economic measures to continue the country’s Bolivarian Revolution.

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Maduro said that public workers — including medical professionals, teachers and military members — will receive an immediate 40 percent raise in January. He also announced that more Venezuelans will be able to take part in the country's food voucher program, adding that current recipients will see an increase in the amount of vouchers received.

Retirement pensions will also increase by 40 percent.

The president said that in January, he will start to roll out the conditions for a "new Venezuelan monetary system" based on the country’s petroleum resources. This new economic system will make “Venezuela the vanguard,” creating economic stability and social peace.

Maduro thanked the National Constituent Assembly, ANC, for helping to develop the new monetary system and said that the ANC elections in July initiated a “democratic fiesta” across the country.

Maduro emphasized that despite the “illegal … economic war” incited by U.S. President Donald Trump, the country has further advanced toward the model of 21st century socialism launched by former President Hugo Chavez.

He cited the municipal and departmental-level October elections swept by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela as indicators that the “popular forces” are “sustaining the nation.”  

“We all have the right to quality schooling, healthcare, jobs, cultural events, sports and technology,” Maduro said. But this is being “impeded by domestic and international capitalist forces.”

His government is advancing Venezuela's diplomatic ties and international profile, “consolidating alliances” with Russia, China, India, Turkey and Iran to ensure political and economic stability for the nation. Maduro's administration is also playing a larger role in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, or ALBA.

The president ended by inviting the Venezuelan people to take part in the creation of the 2019-2025 government plan to include what they want in their government. He reiterated Chavez’s words, that "the people are alpha” and necessary to the political process.

Maduro signed off with “love to the nation, peace and happiness for everyone.”