The Bolivarian Circles (Spanish: Círculos bolivarianos) are political and social organizations of workers' councils in Venezuela, originally created by President Hugo Chávez on 21 December 2001.
[7] Following the involvement of Bolivarian Circles in defending President Chávez during the 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt, the government sponsored the creation of official communal councils on 10 April 2006,[8] some of which became armed colectivos instead.
[6] They are named in honor of Simón Bolívar, the leader who transformed most of South America from Spanish colonial outposts to the independent states now in place.
[4] In January 2002, Bolivarian Circles were reported to have blocked the entrance of the newspaper office El Nacional for over an hour.
[15][16] According to private intelligence agency company Stratfor, Bolivarian Circles were also the parent organization of colectivos in Venezuela.