Internationalist 360: Maduro’s Inauguration, Venezuelan Extremism and Latin America Once again, this coup sector is failing and is heading towards dehydration. Firstly, it lost the elections and, when it has called for mobilizations in the streets against Chavismo, the result has always been very small. Secondly, Chavismo has permanently mobilized in the streets and in large numbers, before, during and after the elections. Thirdly, of the almost 200 countries in the world, more than 120 have already recognized Maduro as president… With an eye on this polarized international situation, the rise of fascism and its global coordination, the Venezuelan government have firmly invested in an international anti-fascist articulation, making Venezuela the country that calls on popular organizations, intellectuals and activists from all over the world – who fight for a world of peace, justice and work – to build unity in the anti-imperialist struggle and for sovereignty….Furthermore, internally, the Maduro government has given broad support to the deepening and expansion of the communes. And this is the key to all the mobilization and popular support that sustains the advance of the Bolivarian Revolution.
Mision Verdad: Trump, Venezuela’s Economy, and the Shadow of Oil Sanctions Despite the high economic and social costs, the Venezuelan economy in 2017-2019 period proved to be resilient to the measures of the first Trump government. The Venezuelan economy of early 2025 is far from that of those years. 1. Less dependence on the relationship with the US. Early 2017, Venezuela exported 718,365 barrels per day of crude to the US; 39% of its production, which was then 1,837,000 barrels per day. At present, Venezuela is sending only 26% of its production to US soil. 2. Changes in the Venezuelan economy. The state contributes 33% of the flow of foreign currency to the exchange market, while the private sector and civil society contribute the remaining 77%. In 2016 the exchange market was 98% supported by the state through exchange-control policies. In addition, today the oil sector is less relevant to the economy than it was in 2016. 3. In 2020, the economy was extremely affected due to sanctions with the national treasury collected about US $1.6 billion, but at the end of 2024, the collection reached US $12.1 billion. It is unclear whether the eventual coercive measures applied in 2025 will be able to achieve the political objectives that were not achieved when they were implemented years ago, when the economic body was much more vulnerable and dependent on oil than it is now.
TeleSur: Venezuela Declares Former Colombian Presidents Uribe and Duque Public Enemies for calling for military invasion of Venezuela On January 14, Uribe called for an international military intervention to remove President Maduro from power. A day later, Maduro ordered the Armed Forces and police forces to prepare to respond to the foreign threats. “Alvaro Uribe, Leopoldo Lopez, Ivan Duque… we’ll be waiting for you here with the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, with the people of Venezuela, with our police forces, and above all, with our honesty and decency,” said the National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez.
The Military Occupation of Latin America and the Caribbean US military bases:Chile supports one near Valparaíso. In Colombia, 9 US military bases seriously interfere in internal affairs: In Cuba, the Guantanamo enclave remains, despite the staunch opposition of the people and authorities. The government of Rafael Correa freed Ecuador from the Manta Base: the neoliberal Noboa ceded for the same use the Galapagos Islands. Haiti has been repeatedly and prolongedly occupied by northern soldiers, with disastrous results. In Honduras, 3 military bases participated in the coup against Mel Zelaya. In Panama, 12 bases prolong the military occupation. Paraguay supports two, which threaten the Guarani Aquifer and the Lithium Triangle. In Peru 8 enclaves support the repression of the dictator Dina Boluarte. In Puerto Rico 12 bases maintain by force the humiliating condition of Free Associated Country. In addition, there are US bases in Aruba, Curacao, Costa Rica and El Salvador. To which are added a secret and indefinite number of “quasi-bases” that cooperate in tasks of espionage, communication, quartermaster and in general interference in local affairs.
Orinoco Tribune: Venezuela: Communal Assemblies Begin Proposing Projects Communal assemblies are being held in over 5,000 communal circuits to present the projects that will be selected in the first popular consultation of 2025. Minister for Communes Ángel Prado reported that the projects to go to the popular consultation on February 2 will be nominated and selected during these assemblies.
Resumen Latinoamericano: Venezuela: A Leader in Gender Equality The Plan for the Homeland 2025 outlines policies focused on fighting patriarchal domination, eradicating gender-based violence, building a socialist economy, ensuring the comprehensive protection of women, and advancing gender mainstreaming within the public sector. In Education: Women represent 54% of students in science, technology, mathematics and engineering subjects, fields and make up 50% of scientific researchers. Politics: There are 46 councils dedicated to women’s issues, with 5,000 women trained as rights advocates. The Venezuelan Supreme Court has achieved gender parity, with 10 male and 10 female judges. Women’s education levels are nearly on par with men, and more than 65% of women over 25 have completed secondary or higher education.
Cuban Government: In the face of the imperialist onslaught, Cuba will win Trump has interpreted his coming to power as the coronation of an emperor. The hegemonic Monroe Doctrine and Manifest Destiny, which were imposed on Latin America and the Caribbean with blood and fire, are the guide of the new government team. The groups and politicians who have made aggression against Cuba a way of life, have profited for decades from the anti-Cuban business and today share the new president’s drunkenness are associated with him. All of them have a high responsibility in the difficult economic situation of the country and in the increase of the migratory flow from Cuba to the United States.
Nicaraguan Government Statement Heroic Cuba, Cradle of one of the most Vital Revolutions of Our America-Caribbean, has been living under the supremacist lash for 65 years, and its Dignity, Heroism, Fortitude and Unyielding Conviction of Freedom, prompt admiration the World over. Faced with this new demonstration of the unique identity of the savage barbarians, our Peoples, who will never stop admiring and respecting Fidel, Raúl, the Glorious Rebels of the Sierra Maestra pronounce ourselves once again in absolute condemnation of Yankee piracy. We Will Neither Sell Out, Nor Surrender, Ever! As Che said: “Imperialism cannot be trusted not even the smallest fraction… Nothing…”
Nicaragua’s Health Achievements in 2024 Maternal mortality decreased by 79.8%, from 104 maternal deaths in 2006 to 21 in 2024; reduced infant mortality by 52.6%, from 1,916 children under the age of one who died in 2006 to 908 in 2024; reduced chronic malnutrition in children under five, from 21.7% in 2006 to 4.5% in 2024. In 2024, 72,161 pregnant women were able to be housed in Maternity Shelters. The number of health workers increased by 77%, from 22,083 in 2006 to 38,984 in 2024.
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Events
January 26: Sanctions: The Threat and the Promise for Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela sponsored by the Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition. With Jennifer Atlee, Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition; Leonardo Flores, Venezuela Solidarity Network; Onyesonwu Chatoyer, National Network on Cuba.
January 28: Eyewitness Venezuela: A New Presidential Term & the Anti-Fascist Conference Carolina Escarra Gil, Director of the Carlos Escarrá Malavé Comprehensive Training School of the Venezuelan National Assembly; Roger Harris, Task Force on the Americas, the Sanctions Kill Campaign, and founding member of the Venezuela Solidarity Network. David Paul, Embassy Protection Collective member who fought to defend the Embassy of Venezuela in the United States against right-wing attack and takeover in 2019; Sam McGill, from Revolutionary Communist Group to the Anti-fascist congress and festival in Caracas. Moderated by Jill Clark-Gollub
February 1: Defending the Bolivarian Revolution: Delegates report back from Venezuela – Camila Escalante (Editor, Kawsachun News), Dan Kovalik (Author and journalist),- Jesús Rodriguez-Espinoza (Editor, Orinoco Tribune), Francisco Domínguez (Secretary, Venezuela Solidarity Campaign UK),- Arnold August (Author and journalist), Fiona Sim (Black Liberation Alliance),- Moderator: Radhika Desai (Convenor, International Manifesto Group)
February 8, London: Latin America ConferenceThis will be the 19th annual Latin America Adelante! Conference. Latin America 2025 – speakers
February 9: Cuba: Doctors not Bombs Dr. Jose Arronte Villamarin, Cuban Ministry of Health. Speakers include Cuba’s Latin American Medical School (ELAM) graduates U.S. Coordinator Dr. Samira Mifatou Addrey, Dr. Jontay Darko, and Dr. Christine Knight; Palestinian-American ELAM medical student Ayman Salhab. Moderated by Dr. Howard Ehrman.
March 15-16: New York City Cuba conference Includes a delegation from the Federation of Cuban Women and the National Union of Cuban Jurists.
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Delegations to Cuba, Nicaragua:
Cuba
April 17-May 3: Puerto Rico Brigada Juan Ruiz Rivera to Cuba
April 26- May 3: The Nation: Havana and Trinidad
April 27-May 9: May Day Delegation Itinerary Draft
Different Brigades and Solidarity Trips to Cuba
Witness for Peace delegations to Cuba
Friendly Planet delegations to Cuba
Nicaragua
Casa Ben Linder Email casabenjaminlinder@gmail.com to apply:
6-16 March 2025: Power & Protagonism: Women in Nicaragua
May 2025: Co-ops and Communities: Cooperative Movement in Nicaragua
June 2025: Global Health: Family and Community Health in Nicaragua
July 2025: Solidarity in Action: Nicaragua’s Popular Revolution
November 2025: Salud & Solidaridad: Hands-On Healthcare in Nicaragua
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Chicago ALBA Solidarity 