United Socialist Party of Venezuela Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids United Socialist Party of Venezuela Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela

President	Nicolás Maduro
Vice President	Diosdado Cabello
Founder	Hugo Chávez
Founded	24 March 2007; 18 years ago (2007-03-24)
Merger of	• Fifth Republic Movement • Socialist League • Movement for Direct Democracy • Union Party [es] • Militant Civic Movement [es]
Headquarters	Maripérez, Caracas
Newspaper	Cuatro F
Youth wing	JPSUV
Paramilitary groups	Colectivos, Units of Battle Hugo Chávez
Membership (2024)	4,240,032
Ideology	Socialism of the 21st century Bolivarianism Chavismo Left-wing populism Anti-imperialism
Political position	Left-wing to far-left
National affiliation	Great Patriotic Pole
Regional affiliation	COPPPAL São Paulo Forum
International affiliation	Axis of Resistance World Anti-Imperialist Platform For the Freedom of Nations!
Colors	Red
Anthem	"La Hora del Pueblo" ('People's Hour')
Seats in the National Assembly	219 / 277
Seats in the Latin American Parliament	4 / 12
Governors	19 / 23
Mayors	303 / 335
Party flag

Full party logo


Elections

The United Socialist Party of Venezuela (known as PSUV) is a major political party in Venezuela. It has been the main ruling party of Venezuela since 2007. The party was created by combining different political groups that supported the "Bolivarian Revolution." This revolution was led by former President Hugo Chávez.

In the 2015 parliamentary election, PSUV lost its majority in the National Assembly. This was the first time this happened since the Assembly was created in 2000. However, in the 2020 elections, PSUV won back a large majority of seats.

History of the PSUV
What the PSUV Believes In
Party Symbols
How the Party is Organized
Election Results
- Presidential Elections
- Parliamentary Elections
Images for kids
See also

History of the PSUV

The idea to create the PSUV came from Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. He wanted to unite many of the groups that supported his "Bolivarian Revolution" after he won the 2006 presidential election. His own party, the Fifth Republic Movement, led this effort.

Many smaller parties joined PSUV, including the People's Electoral Movement and the Socialist League. However, some other parties, like the Communist Party of Venezuela and Fatherland for All, chose not to join. They still supported Chávez but wanted to remain separate.

The PSUV held its first big meeting in early 2008. Hugo Chávez was named the President of the new party on March 14, 2008.

After Hugo Chávez passed away, the party faced some challenges. People described it as "fracturing" or "weakening" because of the loss of Chávez and problems with Venezuela's economy.

What the PSUV Believes In

The PSUV is a socialist party. This means they believe that a socialist society is the best way to improve things, rather than a capitalist system. They get their ideas from important Venezuelan thinkers like Simón Bolívar and Simón Rodríguez.

The party also believes in scientific socialism, Christianity, and ideas about fairness for everyone. They want to build a political system that respects nature and helps people survive.

The PSUV supports the Bolivarian Revolution. They see it as a peaceful way to move towards socialism and away from capitalism. The party also believes in fighting against "imperialism." This means they want to form a group of socialist countries in Latin America.

Hugo Chávez once said that the PSUV was a "very young party." Many of its members were young, and their families had often benefited from Chávez's social programs.

In 2010, the PSUV held a special meeting. They agreed on several main ideas, including socialism, Marxism, and Bolivarianism. They also emphasized humanism, working with other countries, and loving their own country. They believe in participatory democracy, where people have a say, and in using democracy within the party itself. The party sees itself as a leader in the revolutionary process.

The party held its 3rd Congress in 2014. At this meeting, Nicolás Maduro was elected as the party's second president. Hugo Chávez was honored as the party's "eternal president and founder." The party's rules and policies were also updated. The 4th Party Congress took place in 2018.

Party Symbols

The PSUV uses symbols that honor Hugo Chávez. You might see images like the "Chávez eyes" along with the party's own symbols.

Official logo, used from 2007 to 2024
Official logo, used since 2024
Electoral logo, used in the 2010 election
A version of the official logo that includes Hugo Chávez's eyes
A street painting of Hugo Chávez in Punta de Piedras
A billboard with Hugo Chávez's eyes and signature in Guarenas

How the Party is Organized

A party meeting in Maracaibo in December 2012

Party Congress

The highest group in the PSUV is the National Party Congress. This is the party's most important body. It meets when the National Board decides it's needed. Delegates from all over the country attend.

The Congress has the power to:

Choose the President and Vice President of the Party.
Elect members for the National Board and other important groups.
Change the Party's rules.
Discuss and create new party policies.

The National Party Congress is held every four years.

National Board

The party is led by its "Eternal President," Hugo Chávez (this is a title given after his death). The current president is Nicolás Maduro, and the vice-president is Diosdado Cabello. They work with the National Board of Directors.

The PSUV National Board is the top leadership group for the party. It can make new policies between the big Party Congress meetings.

Units of Battle Hugo Chávez (UBCh)

The Units of Battle Hugo Chávez (UBCh) are groups of PSUV members. They have both military and political roles. The UBCh started as groups to protect the Bolivarian Revolution and help the party during elections. They got their current name in 2013.

These units are the basic party groups in Venezuelan communities. Four or more UBCh groups form a "People's Struggle Circle" in a community. Each UBCh is divided into smaller "Unit Patrols" that help party members in different areas.

Other groups that help the party include:

The PSUV National Political Bureau
PSUV Regional Departments, led by Regional Vice Presidents
PSUV Sectors Organizations, led by Sectoral Vice Presidents
The United Socialist Party of Venezuela Youth

Election Results

Presidential Elections

The PSUV has supported its candidates in presidential elections.

Election year	Candidate	First Round
Election year	Candidate	Number of votes	Percentage of vote
2012	Hugo Chávez	8,191,132	55.1% (Won)
Main party in the "Great Patriotic Pole" alliance.
2013	Nicolás Maduro	7,587,579	50.6% (Won)
Main party in the "Great Patriotic Pole" alliance.
2018	Nicolás Maduro	6,205,875	67.8% (Won)
Main party in the "Great Patriotic Pole" alliance.
2024	Nicolás Maduro	6,408,844	51.95% (Won)
Main party in the "Great Patriotic Pole" alliance.