Venezuelanalysis (Alison Bodine): Venezuela’s Participatory Democracy and the Struggle Against Imperialism “Venezuela is a society where people are incredibly engaged in political life—far more than in the US or Canada. Democracy is embedded in the revolution and is an ongoing process. It’s not just about going to the polls every few years, it’s a continuous exercise in education and participation to advance the Bolivarian project…As in any country, there are people who live more apolitical lives, but the number of Venezuelans actively involved in politics is much higher than in the US or Canada.
I was one of over 300 international election observers who came to Venezuela for this process…We talked to voters who openly supported Chavismo and others who backed the opposition. What we saw were free, fair, transparent elections. Attempts to overthrow the Maduro government are very present: just before this election, around 70 people were arrested for attempting to disrupt the process. They were backed and funded by the US.
Venezuela is a critical reference point for anti-imperialist movements in Latin America and around the world. The recent Chavista victory is another blow to US imperialism and another step forward for the anti-imperialist struggle. Anyone committed to justice and peace should see Venezuela’s continued resistance as essential. The Venezuelan people are fighters. Venezuela remains an epicenter of anti-imperialism.
TeleSur: Venezuela Re-elected as Vice President of UN General Assembly: A Triumph for Sovereignty and Multipolarity In a significant diplomatic achievement, Venezuela has been re-elected as Vice President of the United Nations General Assembly, This milestone underscores the steadfast dedication of the Bolivarian Government and the Venezuelan people to principles of sovereignty, multipolarity, and peaceful dialogue on the global stage.
TeleSur: China and CELAC: Deepening Strategic Cooperation for Mutual Development With bilateral trade reaching US$450 billion in 2023, the economic ties now encompass substantial investments in infrastructure development, industrial capacity building, and technological cooperation. The Belt and Road Initiative is involved in over 200 major projects across Latin America and the Caribbean. The construction phase of major projects typically generates thousands of jobs for local workers, with additional employment created through associated service industries.These developments are accompanied by training programs that enhance local technical capacities, ensuring that the benefits of cooperation extend beyond the immediate project timelines. China’s Green Silk Road Fund has supported numerous solar and wind energy projects across the region, including major installations in Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. The article lists other areas of cooperation.
Al Mayadeen: Latin America escalates diplomatic break with Israel over Gaza Amid the Gaza slaughter, several Latin American countries have severed ties or taken diplomatic action against Israel, with Chile, Bolivia, and Colombia among the most vocal. In early 2024, Brazilian President Lula compared Israel’s actions in Gaza to those of Adolf Hitler, describing the offensive as a “genocide.” Mexico has formally joined the case against Israel at the International Criminal Court, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. In October 2024, Nicaragua severed ties with Israel, condemning its actions as fascist and accusing it of perpetrating genocide. Cuba and Venezuela had already broken relations. Argentina, Paraguay, Panama, Ecuador, and Guatemala have also preserved or expanded ties with “Israel” amid the war.
Al Mayadeen: Iran, Venezuela stand firm, denounce global arrogance Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, leading a high-level delegation to Venezuela, said his visit aims to counter hostile plots and deepen strategic cooperation between the two allied nations. Qalibaf underscored the countries’ shared experiences in resisting external pressures, describing “the long battle of Iran and Venezuela against global arrogance” as a key unifying factor. They share common values: independence, justice, and the pursuit of freedom. Looking ahead, Ghalibaf’s tour to Cuba and Brazil aims to further consolidate Iran’s diplomatic and economic outreach in Latin America, with the private sector expected to play a leading role in new ventures.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil hailed Iran as a pillar of peace and praised its leadership for showing resilience over the past 46 years in the face of US pressure and sanctions. “Iran’s enemies have done everything in their power—from sanctions to war—but they have failed to achieve their goals,” Gil said. “Iran’s victory is considered Venezuela’s victory.”
TeleSur: Trump Decree Imposes Entry Restrictions on Multiple Countries, Including Venezuela and Cuba President Trump’s new immigration decree enacts entry bans and partial restrictions for citizens from over a dozen countries. This raises concerns about collective punishment and the use of immigration policy as a political weapon. Citizens of countries banned entry to the US: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. And Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela are partially restricted.
Vijay Prashad: They Are Making Venezuela’s Economy Scream US-led sanctions, or Unilateral Coercive Measures, caused Venezuela to lose oil revenue of $226 billion between January 2017 and December 2024, roughly $77 million per day. Before 2017, Venezuela relied on its oil revenue for 95% of its export earnings; critical for financing the government’s progressive social agenda. As Trump tightened the blockade, Secretary of State Pompeo happily reported in March 2019:”The humanitarian crisis is increasing by the hour. You can see the increasing pain and suffering that the Venezuelan people are suffering from.”
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Cuba
Spring Magazine: The US Blockade on Cuba A good short summary of the blockade. The blockade wasn’t just about punishing Cuba, was a message to the world: challenge US hegemony, and you’ll face isolation, economic ruin, and threats of violence. Under Obama, while travel, remittances, and some trade were permitted in a limited capacity, the core of the blockade, financial and trade restrictions, remained in place. Trump’s administration rolled back Obama’s limited concessions and implemented harsher sanctions. One key move was placing Cuba back on the “State Sponsors of Terrorism” list in 2020, a designation that further isolated the island. The blockade prevents Cuba from accessing the resources it needs to function as a sovereign nation, causing regular shortages of food, medicine, and essential goods.
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Nicaragua
NicaNotes (Becca Renk): Celebrating Mothers…By Helping Them Survive! Last week, Nicaragua celebrated its biggest holiday. Bigger than Christmas, or Easter, or even the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is a day when Nicaraguans celebrate the holiest of holies: their moms. Nicaragua has proven this: despite being one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, since 2007 it has managed to reduce maternal mortality by 79.8%, reduce neonatal mortality by 62.5% and reduce infant mortality rates by 58.6%. Through the country’s universal free healthcare system, all prenatal, childbirth and post-natal care in Nicaragua is offered countrywide free of charge – c-sections, premature births, neonatal ICU stays and even fetal surgeries are free. Nicaragua is the only Central American country offering this type of surgery free in the public health system.
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Palestine Solidarity
Freedom Flotilla Foundation: Sign on to demand safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s ship Madleen, and put Israel on notice As the Madleen sails toward Gaza carrying unarmed civilians and humanitarian aid, the flotilla needs your support to issue formal warning to Israel’s political and military leadership. We are putting them on notice: any harm to the Madleen or its volunteers will be treated as a grave violation of international law.Democracy Now: Greta Thunberg Speaks from Aid Ship Heading to Gaza Despite Israeli Threats: It’s My Moral Obligation
MIT Class President Megha Vemuri’s Viral Graduation Speech on Israel’s Genocide in Gaza
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Events
June 7 (Baltimore): Cuba’s New Family Code and LGBT Rights
June 7: National Network on Cuba meeting
Monday, June 9, at 2:30 pm ET. Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition monthly meeting on Zoom. Email NicaraguaSolidarityCoalition@gmail.com for zoom access.
June 15: Global March to Gaza (WhatsApp Video 2025-05-19 at 21.59.06_a6365d9e (1).mp4 This is a call for many participants to join a peaceful march at the Egyptian border with Gaza, with the aim of negotiating the opening of the Rafah terminal with the Egyptian authorities, in collaboration with NGOs, diplomats, and humanitarian institutions.
June 22, 3 pm ET Nicaragua Webinar: Our Time in Nicaragua: Veterans for Peace Report Back With Gerry Condon (delegation leader, VFP national Board Member and past President); Josh Shurley (VFP national Vice President); Michael Kramer (President, Northern New Jersey VFP); Douglas Ryder (President, Raleigh/Durham, NC VFP); Dan Shea (President, Portland, Oregon VFP); Al Glatkowski (At-Large VFP member in Virginia); Chris Smiley (VFP Communications Director, Managua). Webinar Co-moderator: Camilo Mejía, Nicaraguan citizen, US veteran, former prisoner of conscience.
June 22: Belgium – Protest for Peace and Justice: No to NATO War Summit An international protest will take place in The Hague in response to the upcoming NATO Summit (June 24 and 25). A protest against the increasing militarisation of Western powers and their support for the ongoing Israeli offensive in Palestine.
June 23: Peace Conference in Brussels
July 4: International Rally: Sanctions Kill – US out of Venezuela & Latin America Vijay Prashad, Tricontinental//Carlos Ron, Vice-Minister, Foreign Affairs, Venezuela//Alicia Castro, former Argentinian Ambassador to Venezuela & UK//Fravia V.Marquez Silva, International Summit for Anti-imperialist Africans & Afro-Descendants, Venezuela // Dáire Hughes MP, Sinn Fein, Ireland//Felix Plasencia, Venezuelan Ambassador//Kate Hudson, CND//Francisco Dominguez, VSC//Gawain Little, GFTU//Fiona Sim, Black Liberation Alliance//Sarah Woolley BFAWU
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Delegations to Cuba, Nicaragua:
Cuba
Witness for Peace delegations to Cuba
July 7-24: Visit Cuba with Helen Yaffe
November 15-23: Cooperatives & 10 Best Practices in Cuba
Friendly Planet delegations to Cuba
Altruvistas tours to Cuba
Nicaragua
Casa Ben Linder Email casabenjaminlinder@gmail.com to apply:
July 2025: Solidarity in Action: Nicaragua’s Popular Revolution
November 2025: Salud & Solidaridad: Hands-On Healthcare in Nicaragua
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This is also available at ChicagoALBASolidarity.org. If you have events to publicize, send them to venezuelaweekly@afgj.org or stansfieldsmith100@gmail.com.
Chicago ALBA Solidarity 