By Jim McIlroy (Brigade co-leader)

The 18 members of the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network (AVSN) Presidential Election Brigade to Venezuela, from September 27 to October 8, 2012, spent a wonderful and inspirational 12 days observing the Bolivarian revolutionary process and learning about the struggles of the Venezuelan people for Socialism of the 21st Century. A highlight of the brigade was to participate in the October 4 massive rally of three million supporters of Hugo Chavez’ successful campaign for re-election as president of Venezuela in the national poll held on October 7.