Framing, Discourse, and Power Dynamics in the Venezuelan Ecosocialism Narrative: The Unbearable Burden on Vulnerable Communities.

Abstract

This article critically examines the dissonance between Venezuela's proclaimed ecosocialist policies and the harsh socio-environmental realities faced by its most vulnerable communities. Through a comparative analysis of three case studies—Laguna de Píritu, Morrocoy National Park, and Canaima National Park—it interrogates how the Venezuelan regime’s alliance with global extractive industries exacerbates environmental degradation, displaces indigenous and marginalized populations, and intensifies social inequalities. Grounded in frameworks of environmental justice, political ecology, and social constructionism, the study highlights how the regime co-opts progressive discourses on indigenous and feminist movements to mask its neoliberal practices. The research reveals the "Polluter-Industrial Complex" at the heart of Venezuela's resource extraction strategies, emphasizing the disproportionate burdens borne by indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. By integrating critical environmental justice and intersectional approaches, the article underscores the urgent need for equitable and sustainable solutions that prioritize ecological integrity and social equity. It calls for dismantling entrenched systems of oppression and reframing environmental policy to address the intersection of race, class, gender, and environmental harm in the Venezuelan context.