On October 19, the World Anti-imperialist Platform (Platform) visited the Mausoleum of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela, held a march in front of it, and then conducted a rally.
Participants held banners reading “¡Chávez vive, la lucha sigue! (Chávez lives, the struggle continues),” “¡Viva Maduro, viva Venezuela! (Long live Maduro, long live Venezuela),” “¡Abajo el imperialismo! (Down with imperialism),” and “¡Palestina vencerá! (Palestine will prevail!),” while chanting slogans such as “The people united will never be defeated!,” “Viva Chávez! (Long live Chávez),” and “Viva Maduro! (Long live Maduro)” with vigor.
Representing the Platform, Miguel Ángel, general secretary of the Union Proletaria (Spain), delivered the Platform’s address: “As we gather here in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, having braved the storm of World War 3, we once again remember and honor the great achievements and spirit of Hugo Chávez. The reality that Ukraine—where a pro-US fascist regime came to power through the US-orchestrated “color revolution” known as the 2014 Maidan coup—has now become the frontline of World War 3 and a testing ground for the military-industrial complex’s weapons of aggression, clearly demonstrates the absolute importance of anti-imperialist principles and people-centered government.”
He continued: “Standing before the mausoleum of Hugo Chávez, the World Anti-Imperialist Platform, which brings together over 80 communist and anti-imperialist political organizations from around the globe, reaffirms before the world its unwavering support for the Bolivarian Revolution, for the spirit of Chávez’s last testament—”Comuna o Nada,” and for the Maduro government, which stands firm against US imperialism, strengthens popular power, pursues sovereign diplomacy and an independent national economy, and advances toward the construction of a socialist society.”
He concluded: “No imperialism will ever be able to subdue the Venezuelan people armed with the Bolivarian revolutionary spirit, the spirit of ‘Communa o Nada’, and the anti-imperialist, anti-fascist spirit.”
Blanca Eekhout, former Second Vice President of the Venezuelan National Assembly and current president of the Simón Bolívar Institute, said: “For dedication and for action in defense of the Bolivarian Revolution, we now stand on the eve of another anniversary of Timón—”Communa o Nada.” On October 20, 2012, during what was to be his final cabinet meeting, our Commander Chávez showed us the way. At that time he told us, ‘Independence or nothing, Commune or nothing.’ To guarantee independence and sovereignty, we must build a new model of life and society based on real foundations.”
She continued: “Therefore, in today’s situation—surrounded by imperialist encirclement, under threats of war, missiles, and nuclear submarines in the Caribbean—the solidarity, support, dedication, and participation of revolutionaries from all over the world give us great strength.”
Irina Santesteban, general secretary of the Liberation Party (Argentina), declared: “How could we ever forget the homeland of Bolívar? Because I feel that I am part of the Greater Homeland, when Maduro responded to the bluff of the fake president Trump, who threatened to invade Venezuela, we said what we always say: ‘Let him come.’ Of course, we hope that will never happen. But if it does, in Venezuela they will face the people’s resistance, and throughout Latin America, we anti-imperialists will stand in support.”
A member of Labour Women of Türkiye said: “As in the rest of the world, wars and invasions led by imperialism are taking place in our region (West Asia), and reactionary governments in our region are supporting them. As Leninists in Türkiye, we extend greetings on behalf of communists worldwide. Across the world, workers and the people are taking to the squares and acting. They are fighting against all forms of imperialist aggression and war. And we must unite our struggles. When we are united, we will win. The people united will never be defeated.”
Stefan Petrov, from the International Department of Bulgaria’s Sep 23 Movement, read out a statement expressing solidarity with the Maduro government of Venezuela, which is confronting US imperialist aggression and threats. The statement was titled “The People Armed with Chávez’s Revolutionary Spirit Will Surely Triumph.”
Following is the full text of the statement
The People Armed with Chávez’s Revolutionary Spirit Will Surely Triumph
Imperialist United States is frantically struggling to escape the worst crisis it faces. In particular, it is threatening Venezuela—one of the very symbols of the anti-imperialist struggle in Latin America—with shells and armies, seeking by all means to unleash a war of aggression. The aim of US imperialist aggression is clear: to destroy the achievements of the Comunas (Communes) won by the Venezuelan people, to topple Venezuela’s constitutional, sovereign, and people’s government, and to establish through pro-US fascist forces a fascist, traitorous, and anti-people government. US imperialism is raving to reduce Venezuela to a colony, turn its people into slaves, plunder its oil resources, and weaken the anti-imperialist forces of Latin America.
The Venezuelan people are confronting the blockade and aggression of US imperialism with firmness and dignity. Despite the vicious propaganda of the West and the pro-US fascist rabble, the overwhelming majority of the Venezuelan people resolutely oppose the violation of sovereignty and aggressive schemes of the United States, and are firmly rallied around their people’s government. Millions have volunteered for the anti-imperialist militia and have risen in just action to defend their sovereignty. The Maduro government, engaged in a life-or-death struggle for the defense of the motherland, and the people organized around the Comunas, demonstrate the strength of Bolivarian Venezuela. The anti-imperialist camp, fighting against the war-mongering forces of imperialism, is unwaveringly and powerfully supporting Venezuela, which is struggling under the banner of anti-imperialism.
The Comunas—the political, organizational, and popular legacy of Commander Hugo Chávez—are shining ever more brightly amidst the acute war situation. The Comunas are the foundation and the base upon which 4.5 million militia could be organized. Through the people’s government—the Comunas, the Maduro government is ever further strengthening the single-hearted unity with its people. The very source of strength that enabled the Maduro government, despite all manner of internal and external difficulties, to achieve food self-sufficiency and to consolidate the foundations of a self-reliant economy lies in the Comunas—in the people. Even amid the gravest crisis of an aggressive war, President Maduro is, without the slightest wavering, strengthening the Comunas, elevating their role, and thus brilliantly carrying out Chávez’s testament.
At this very venue in March 2023, the World Anti-imperialist Platform solemnly marked the 10th anniversary of Commander Chávez’s passing, affirming its firm will of support and solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution. Today, in the sharp frontline of the anti-imperialist struggle, we once again confirm the spirit and might of Chávez’s legacy, “Comuna o Nada (Communes or Nothing).” While the overall crisis and internal contradictions of the imperialist camp deepen by the day, the military-political strength and international solidarity of the anti-imperialist camp are rising to extraordinary heights. The people united will never be defeated. The all-people’s anti-imperialist resistance of the Venezuelan people, the Bolivarian Revolution, will surely triumph.
¡Viva Venezuela!
¡Viva Chávez! ¡Viva Maduro!
The People United Will Never Be Defeated!
