No to the U.S. War on Venezuela! Free Maduro and Flores Now!

The Cuba and Venezuela Solidarity Committee vociferously condemns the bombing of Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores by the U.S. government as a war crime and violation of the sovereign rights of the nation of Venezuela. It is clear that by attempting the overthrow of the Venezuelan government, the U.S. is aiming to steal the immense wealth of the country. But the U.S. is also seeking to wipe out the example of the Bolivarian revolutionary struggle, a 26-year-long struggle in which the people of Venezuela have benefited by being in control of their country’s own natural resources.

Before Hugo Chávez’s presidency began in 1999, the Venezuelan people were subjected to almost a century of the humiliations of U.S. domination over their country, its resources and its government. While the oil profits poured into the coffers of U.S. oil and other companies and banks, 80% of the population lived in poverty.

That all changed with Chávez’s rule and the new people’s Bolivarian Constitution of 1999. Since then, Venezuela’s resources have been used to benefit the Venezuelan people. For example, over 5.5 million homes have been built with the oil wealth, housing that is a right, not a source of profits for banks and the real estate industry.

The Venezuelan people have resisted 26 years of U.S. sanctions, theft of their country’s resources by Washington, criminal bombings of boats and murder of dozens of people, and threats by the Trump administration. Now the U.S. has resorted to outright war.

Trump said today, “The U.S. will run Venezuela.” This must be understood as an extreme provocation and threat not only to the people of Venezuela but to the whole region. Already Trump is mentioning Cuba and Mexico, and threatening anyone not in alliance with U.S. imperialism.

The people of Venezuela are in the streets defending their homeland and dignity. 

We denounce this unprecedented war of aggression. We call on all peace-loving people in the United States to join protests today across the U.S. called by the ANSWER Coalition and supported by other anti-war organizations and many individuals. Click here to find the action nearest you, or organize your own.

This war will not go unanswered. People in Latin America and around the world and in the United States are protesting today and will continue for as it takes. The role of the people in the United States will be most critical. We urge everyone to join with the ANSWER Coalition call for the cities in action today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes.

Stop the War against Venezuela! U.S. Out of Latin America and the Caribbean!