(Caracas, May 17, 2026. MinComunas Press) — In an atmosphere filled with joy, culture, and a deep spirit of grassroots organization, the residents of the Comuna 5 de Marzo Comandante Eterno, located in the Cerro Grande sector of El Valle, gathered to celebrate a comprehensive community event. The activities took place at the facilities of the Independencia 5 de Julio Community Council, one of the seven councils that make up this territorial organization.
The day, framed within the celebrations of Mother’s Month, was the perfect setting for the articulation between Popular Power and various Social Movements, highlighting the participation of the youth organization Deskomunal and the ecosocialist experience of Tramuco (Work, Women and Community), an initiative focused on the recycling and processing of materials.
The music, dances, and workshops offered during the day reflected the cultural richness of the area, creating a space where everyone felt included and valued.
The Communal Model as an Alternative Way of Life
The event, held in a downpour, was a clear reflection of the strength and unity of the organized community, which had the political backing of Representative Tania Díaz and Community Minister Ángel Prado. During his speech, Prado not only celebrated the fighting spirit of those present, but also launched a strong critique of the intentions of the major hegemonic powers seeking to undermine the sovereignty of nations.
In his speech, he highlighted the model of territorial self-management established by Commander Hugo Chávez, which continues to be fervently defended today by President Nicolás Maduro and Acting President Delcy Rodríguez. The Communard Minister emphasized the importance of community resistance in the face of adversity, stressing that political awareness transcends material concerns and is fundamental to the empowerment of communities.
“Today, from this humble country, from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, we are building a model. We have struggled too much, but we are going to give birth to it, we are giving birth to it in the neighborhoods and you are seeing it: and it is the Communal model proposed by Commander Chávez.”
She also strongly emphasized the fundamental role women play in the Venezuelan Communal movement, highlighting that an impressive 80% of the Communal leadership is made up of women. These courageous women, who love not only their families but also their communities, become leaders who face any challenge with determination and bravery.
Their commitment to the well-being of their territory is unwavering, and they are the ones who face adversity head-on, demonstrating that the strength of the people lies in their unity and the courage of their leaders. In a context where circumstances may seem difficult, the Communard minister emphasized that the Venezuelan people continue to move forward without surrendering.
“Here, nobody gives up… to give up is treason, to surrender is treason, to get tired is treason.”
Boosting the Community Economy and Food
The event served as a showcase for the First Economic Transformation within the Commune, where local entrepreneurs and Family Production Units (UPF) offered baked goods, services, and textiles. One of the day’s key initiatives was the Food Sovereignty campaign led by the Communal Direct Social Property Enterprise (EPSDC), Somos Karive Distributor and Marketer.
Nelson Lara, in charge of the EPS Somos Karive, highlighted the commitment to local supply: “We are guaranteeing the fair of proteins at a solidarity price, meats, cold cuts, for the point and circle of the seven Community Councils of the Commune.
Voices of the Community and International Solidarity
Andy Hernández, Spokesperson for the Commune, emphasized the collective reach of the activity: “Our Commune is home to some 2,300 families. Today, together with more than 300 brigade members, we were able to positively impact more than 500 or 600 people who came to enjoy, share, and build community in peace.”
The meeting not only brought together the residents of El Valle, but also served as a space for exchange and cultural brotherhood with international delegations that strongly support the community organization process in Venezuela.
In this regard, the event included Ramón Méndez Rivas, Spokesperson for the United America Movement and representative of the migrant, Afro-Ecuadorian, and Montubio communities in the United States, who extended a message of solidarity to the Venezuelan People’s Power and emphasized that grassroots organizing in the territory does not represent an isolated experiment, but rather the practical and living execution of the historical legacy of Simón Bolívar, Simón Rodríguez, and Commander Hugo Chávez.
Contrasting this reality with the erosion of the social fabric and cooperative movement suffered by his native Ecuador due to neoliberal capitalist policies, as well as the siege that Latin American workers suffer in North America at the hands of the empire, Méndez Rivas asserted emphatically that “it is not a second, third, or fourth independence, but rather the very independence of Simón Bolívar, which the people here in the Commune are achieving,” also assuming the internationalist commitment to replicate and multiply the experience of the Venezuelan Communes in the various Social Movements organized abroad.
Mailne Shakespeare, delegate from Panama, also stated: “We have come from Panama to support the 5 de Marzo Commune in this great cultural and sporting event. Long live the 5 de Marzo Commune and long live organized popular power!”
For her part, Kailane Tratsch, a member of the Brazilian organization Levante Popular da Juventud, added her voice and highlighted the importance of the local organizational model as a global example:
“For us, as activists in popular movements in other countries, seeing how the people are organizing themselves in the Commune is a great inspiration. The March 5th Commune demonstrates that People’s Power is the only real way to build a just and equitable society.”
Recreation and Youth
The cultural and recreational program of the Comuna 5 de Marzo Comandante Eterno was a true feast of talent and community unity. Performances by the Alí Primera Youth Group and the singer-songwriters Hermanitas Terán captivated the audience with their emotive melodies, while the group Danza Amor y Cristal filled the air with energy and rhythm. The Abure drum group, with its traditional rhythm, stirred the hearts of those present, creating a space conducive to celebrating our roots.
In a festive atmosphere, the Nosotros Mismos Circus contributed its live artistry, surprising everyone with the creation of a mural that further beautified the surroundings. The youth, the undisputed stars of the event, took the initiative with a Gamer Zone, coordinated by the La Fuga movement, and also participated in wheeled sports demonstrations, aiming to promote the development of neighborhood bike paths. Domino tournaments, dance therapy, and community barber services rounded out the recreational offerings, fostering interaction and collective enjoyment.
With these initiatives, the community reaffirms organized People’s Power, committing to culture, self-managed production, and solidarity-based supply, all in pursuit of a good life that enriches the lives of each of its inhabitants. The March 5th Commune stands as an example of how organization and creativity can transform realities and strengthen community ties.
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