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US Imperialism Strikes Venezuela, Whose Next?
by Amadi Ajamu
A peaceful street protest
demonstration in Venezuela last week escalated into an attempted
presidential coup. Mr. Juan Guaid, an opposition
party neophyte, proclaimed his dictatorial take-over of the
government and was immediately recognized by the
Trump administration and their allies in Latin America. And denounced
by many other countries including China and Russia.
Venezuela’s President Nicholas Maduro was democratically elected by the people of Venezuela in May 2018 and Inaugurated on January 20. United States economic sanctions, the manipulation of oil prices, and western funded opposition parties vying for the country’s state controlled vast oil reserves have attempted to destabilize Venezuela for decades. But the majority of the population of working class, Africans and Amerindians have elected former President Hugo Chavez and his successor President Maduro of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), time and again. President Maduro has ordered all U.S. diplomats expelled, stating “I am the only president of Venezuela.”
Several
demonstrations in support of the Venezuelan people and President
Maduro took place in New York City throughout the weekend. On Thursday
night several hundred people rallied in front of the Venezuelan
Consulate in midtown and marched through the streets to Trump Tower.
On Saturday afternoon rallies were held in front of the Cuban Mission
and at Union Square Park. Many progressive organizations were
represented and spoke in solidarity against US imperialist
intervention in the affairs of sovereign nations.
At
the Cuban Mission, Omowale Clay of the December 12th Movement International Secretariat declared, “Why are we here? Because we
are all Venezuelan! We understand the importance of Cuba in the
world. Because they demonstrated that a small nation with a united
people, and a correct political leadership, can beat back the
terroristic attacks of a super power. For that we will always be
forever grateful for the example of Cuba. The Trump-Bolton aggression
plan has targeted Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua”
“We
also want you to understand that we’re an African people. We
understand our role in the unity and the struggle against
imperialism. We understand the fundamental contradiction. But we also
understand the right to self-determination and national liberation.
In that regard we say, Trump and Bolton’s plan is not just in the
western hemisphere, it has also targeted Zimbabwe. The first
revolutionary act is to liberate your country. The second is to take
back the resources of your country, not only above ground, but under
the ground. We’ve got to be on the right side of history. We are
proud to be here with you all. Because this is where we should be. It
is not just an intellectual question; It is a question of action. US
hands off Zimbabwe! US hands off Venezuela!” Clay concluded.
Angela Davis once told us, “If they come for me in the morning, they will come for you in the night.”
The December 12th Movement has called for a City-Wide Rally against the attempted coup on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 3PM, at the United States Permanent Mission to the United Nations located on the corner of 45th Street and First Avenue, NYC. For more information call (718)398-1766.
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