Uhuru House hosts Venezuelan official's visit to St. Petersburg, Florida

Garcia’s visit to St. Petersburg is hosted by the Uhuru Movement, which will take him on a tour of the area, highlighting locally-owned community businesses and sites of significance in the historical struggle for the democratic and human rights of the black community.

The Venezuelan government of Hugo Chavez has consistently extended a hand of friendship and support to black and other impoverished communities in the U.S. and around the world. Their offer of material assistance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina was rebuked by then-President Bush, but the Venezuelan state oil company, Citgo, has donated millions of gallons of heating fuel to needy families through private non-profit groups in the U.S.

The Uhuru Movement and the Chavez government in Venezuela share a vision for world transformation to put the resources of Africa and the Americas back into the hands of African and indigenous peoples.

This year members of the Uhuru Movement attended an international meeting of "Afro-Descendents" to strategize “revolutionary transformations" in Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Caracas, Venezuela.

Marcos Garcia has represented Venezuela at a Washington, D.C. African Liberation Day celebration organized by the Uhuru Movement. He also spoke at last year’s 5th Congress of the African People’s Socialist Party, the leading organization of the Uhuru Movement.

An expert on the political history of Venezuela and on the advances made by Venezuelan workers since the founding of the Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela, Garcia is expected to discuss current world events and developments in the Americas, during his stop at the Uhuru House.

The reception for the Venezuelan representative will take place at 6:00pm on Friday, December 30 in the Awaabaa Hall of the Uhuru House, located at 1245 18th Avenue South, St. Petersburg. The event is free and open to the public, but R.S.V.P. is required. To R.S.V.P. or get more information, email info [at] apspuhuru.org or call 727-821-6620.