The PCV has claimed that the judicial ruling is part of a scheme orchestrated by the leadership of the PSUV to take over the party’s credentials.

Mexico City, Mexico, August 15, 2023 (venezuelanalysis.com) – The Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) firmly rejected a recent ruling by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) that appointed a new ad-hoc board to lead the party.

In a video message posted Monday, PCV Secretary General Oscar Figuera shared the declaration issued by the V Plenum of the Central Committee of the party in light of the court’s decision, arguing that it constitutes an “illegal” intervention in the internal affairs of the organization.

“This sentence by the Constitutional Chamber is an illegal and incorrect sentence,” said Figuera.

In its statement, the Central Committee maintains that the seven people appointed to the board of directors are not PCV members and therefore cannot occupy leadership posts in the party, making their appointment by the court an “usurpation” of the collective’s credentials.

The TSJ responded favorably a complaint by a self-styled “movement” that calls itself “Patriotic PCV” and claims its goal is to “rescue” the organization. The newly appointed ad hoc board will be led by Táchira politician Henry Parra.

This movement held what the PCV deemed a “fake congress” in May, where a new leadership was elected. This was viewed as the first step in a broader plan to demand possession of the PCV’s legal and electoral credentials.

The PCV has claimed that the scheme is being orchestrated by the leadership of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), pointing the finger in particular at ranking Chavista figure Diosdado Cabello, who has frequently criticized the PCV and its recent political stances.

The court ruling comes as the PSUV prepares for the constitutionally mandated 2024 presidential elections. The Venezuelan Communist Party participated for many years in the PSUV-led Great Patriotic Pole that submitted unified lists in electoral contests, having supported Nicolás Maduro in both of his presidential victories.

However, the party eventually broke with the ruling socialists over policy differences and fielded independent candidates under the so-called Popular Revolutionary Alternative in the 2020 and 2021 electoral contests. However, its results were underwhelming.

With the Maduro government adopting liberal policies in an attempt to kickstart the economy while under heavy US sanctions, the Venezuelan communists have grown increasingly critical, deeming the measures as “anti-worker” and favoring capital.

In contrast, the Venezuelan communists have been criticized for appearances in right-wing, foreign-funded media and accused of building common ground with the country’s traditional opposition.

In its Monday declaration, the PCV reiterated its criticisms of the PSUV and its leadership, condemning the “neoliberal policies” of the Maduro government while simultaneously criticizing the country’s right-wing opposition.

Venezuelan human right organization Surgentes, which has accompanied the Bolivarian process from a working-class perspective, issued its own statement criticizing the court’s ruling, alleging that it constituted a violation of the political rights of party members and the Venezuelan population as a whole.

“Since 2021 there has been evidence of a state-driven libel operation against the PCV, which passed off people from outside the party as grassroots militants who question the leadership,” read the statement from Surgentes.

High-profile Chavista commentator Luigino Bracci likewise criticized the latest developments, calling the TSJ decision “a distraction” and “absurd.”

For his part, Figuera said that the party would continue to pursue its legal options inside Venezuela as well as international actions.

“We are preparing new actions in the legal field but also promoting national and international solidarity,” said Figuera.

Numerous communist parties and other left organizations from throughout the world have already expressed their solidarity with the Communist Party of Venezuela.

The court’s ruling coincided with an event organized by the PCV to commemorate the 86th anniversary of the first national conference of the Communist Party of Venezuela and 100 years since the birth of notable party leader Alberto Lovera. A number of renowned figures from the Venezuelan left attended the event to express solidarity.

At the event, Figuera reminded attendees of the sharp differences the PCV had with former President Hugo Chávez in 2007 after the party refused to dissolve itself and join the PSUV but nonetheless maintained a comradely relationship.