National Day of the Elderly: Love and Protection Only in Revolution

The Bolivarian Revolution, initiated in 1999 by Hugo Chávez Frías, has had as its main axis the protection and vindication of the social rights of Venezuelans. Along these lines, older adults have also played a leading role in the process of social transformation.

One of the achievements of the National Government's policy for the country's grandparents and grandmothers is the preferential attention that is reflected, for example, when they go to banking institutions or public transport systems, such as the subway or metrobus, which have a demarcated area and posts only for the use of elderly people.

In the same way, the biosaludable parks installed throughout the country are designed so that grandparents can exercise, grandparents' clubs have been formed and social tourism plans for older adults have been implemented. In addition, the allocation of pensions to the elderly has been one of the great achievements of the Revolution, which from the beginning prioritized the attention of this important sector of the population dedicated for years to working for the development of the country.

Since the arrival of the Bolivarian Government in 1999, Venezuela has increased from 387,000 pensioners to more than 4 million today, making it possible to declare the country a 100% retired Territory. To achieve this goal, the Carnet de la Patria created in 2017 has been a fundamental tool, since thanks to this instrument, with which a census was constituted, it has been possible to expedite this allocation of pensions throughout the country. This achievement was also possible thanks to the creation, in 2011, of the Great Mission In Love Mayor, promoted by the then president Hugo Chávez to guarantee this monthly allowance to those who did not have the opportunity to accumulate the necessary contributions in the Venezuelan Social Security Institute (IVSS). “Wherever there is a Venezuelan, a Venezuelan woman over the age of 55, the ladies, and 60, the gentlemen, and they have no pension, let us know because we have to do justice, and above all and in priority, to those who live in a situation of poverty,” Chávez said in 2011.

Nowadays, the pension has been approved at the minimum wage and also has extra compensation created by the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, to counteract the economic war and with each wage increase, the pension also increases. In addition, the Great Mission Grandparents and Grandmothers of the Fatherland has been created in order to bring closer attention to this sector.

However, every May 29, Venezuela celebrates the National Day of the Elderly, to recognize this important sector, although by resolution of the United Nations, adopted in 1990, most countries celebrate October 1.

MAZO DRAFTING