Joao Pedro Stedile (MST, Brazil): Why We Continue To Support Venezuela The current political situation in Venezuela cannot be explained solely by the events following 3rd January. We need to contextualize what has been happening over the last four decades. [On January 3] Venezuela, its people and its armed forces were defeated. Lives were lost, and they lost their president. But the Empire had no one to put in their place, because their agent, Maria Corina Machado, is discredited within Venezuelan society – along with the entire servile opposition. The solution, then, was to keep the kidnapped president and negotiate with the Chavista government, with a noose round their necks. Some sectors of the institutional left and those who follow politics only through social media were quick to call it treason, or to claim there was no resistance. And now they are already starting to spread the idea that there is division between the Venezuelan and Cuban governments. These arguments are merely part of U.S. tactics, spread by CIA-influenced media, to divide the left and public opinion.
Defending Venezuela and Cuba is a moral and political obligation for all progressive and democratic forces on our continent. And make no mistake: if they are defeated, the Empire will increase its pressure on Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and the entire continent. We will fight for President Maduro and Congress Deputy Cilia Flores to be freed, for they have committed no crime, and the USA has neither the right nor the moral authority to condemn them to anything.
Francisco Dominguez and Roger D Harris: Venezuela Under Siege: Defending the Bolivarian Revolution Against US Imperialism In response to recent developments in Venezuela under imperialist siege, international solidarity activists should adopt a stance that does not inadvertently reinforce Washington’s drive for domination. Our central responsibility is not to adjudicate every tactical decision made under siege conditions, but to oppose the imperialist aggression that creates those conditions. First and foremost, the main blow must be directed against US imperialism. Any discussion of shortcomings, compromises, or concessions should be understood within the context of relentless external aggression, destabilization efforts, and military threats.
That is why internationals vigorously campaign both for the safe return to Venezuela of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores and for the immediate and unconditional lifting of all sanctions. Even amid forced compromises, the central achievements of the Bolivarian process remain significant: preservation of the revolutionary leadership, survival against destabilization efforts, and avoidance of a full-scale invasion. The primary task of solidarity movements within the imperial centers remains what it has always been: opposing the aggression of our own ruling classes.
Evo Morales: Bolivia Is Experiencing a Rebellion Against Neoliberalism Former Bolivian President Evo Morales declared that the protests shaking Bolivia for the past month are a popular rebellion against neoliberalism and a government that subordinates itself to the US. He praised the determination of the social sectors mobilized against the neoliberal policies of the right-wing government of President Paz since his rise to power. Evo emphasized that the demonstrations, involving miners, transport workers, teachers, farmers, Indigenous communities, and other social groups, are aimed at defending workers’ and families’ economies, democracy, the Constitution, and Bolivia’s natural resources. Evo also denounced an ongoing US-backed plan, supported by the Paz government, to carry out a military operation involving the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Southern Command to arrest him. We’ve seen this excuse before, like in Venezuela, with the narrative of the non-existent Cartel of the Sun, that led to the kidnapping of President Maduro on January 3rd.
Bolivians Demand Immediate Resignation of President Paz at Open Assembly Thousands of Bolivians gathered at an “open assembly” in the city of El Alto to reaffirm their demand for the immediate resignation of President Rodrigo Paz and to declare themselves in a state of emergency and permanent mobilization. Participants also decided to intensify pressure measures, reject the alleged dialogue proposed by the right-wing government, and sign a unity pact with the Bolivian Workers’ Central (COB). The open assembly was convened by the Federation of Neighborhood Councils, an organization that mobilizes neighborhoods in El Alto and La Paz, which have participated in the protests taking place since early May.
The Nation: Trump Is Weaponizing Long-Standing Restrictions on Freedom to Travel to Cuba The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)—the arm of the Treasury Department that enforces US economic sanctions against other countries—has sent a “request for information” to the advocacy group Code Pink about its participation in the international humanitarian convoy that brought 500 people from more than 30 countries carrying an estimated 35 tons of food, medicine, solar panels, and other aid to Havana in March. As part of the convoy, Code Pink chartered a plane for 170 participants that also carried 6,300 pounds of medical supplies worth $433,000 arranged by Global Health Partners.
Treasury officials are demanding to know “everything you did while you were in Cuba, who went, how did you go, how did you pay for everything, all the receipts, the detailed description of everything youtook for donations…what hotel did you stay in,” Medea Benjamin, cofounder of Code Pink, told The Nation. Benjamin suspects the OFAC inquiry aims to quell dissent against President Trump’s increasingly harsh approach to Cuba, which has triggered the worst humanitarian crisis on the island in memory. An American oil blockade imposed in January set off daily blackouts, food shortages, water shortages, medical emergencies, and reported deaths. Benjamin said, “We’re telling all the people who went with us don’t be intimidated. Just use this as another spark in the fire to challenge this sadistic policy.”
The Trump administration is weaponizing a humanitarian trip to Cuba to persecute, not just to prosecute, those who are speaking out against the cruel and malicious US policy against the Cuban people. Last week, Code Pink has been on Capitol Hill advocating for resolutions in Congress that would force votes on requiring the administration to win congressional approval to launch military action against Cuba.
The Canadian Labour Congress passes resolution in support of Cuba! (Canadian version of AFL-CIO) Thousands of delegates to the CLC met in Winnipeg for the 31st Constitutional Convention. Union activists from all over Canada came to organize, strategize, and show the power of workers coming together. Cuba had a large part to play in this year’s convention. The Canadian Network on Cuba talked to delegates about why Cuba is a working-class issue and the best ways to support the people enduring the longest blockade in history.
CUBA AFTER CASTRO | New Abby Martin BT Documentary
Kawsachun News: Venezuelans reflect four months on from U.S. attackMembers of the Comuna Socialista Simón Bolívar in Caracas’ 23 de Enero neighborhood share how they experienced the U.S. terrorist attack on Venezuela on January 3rd, in which the US killed 130 people and abducted President Maduro and Cilia Flores, while targeting civilian infrastructure. Members also express their views on the situation in the country, four months and change since the invasion. Home to 17,000 residents, this commune protects the 4F mountain barracks, the resting place of Commander Hugo Chávez.
Upcoming Events:
June 6 (Toronto): Cuba Under Siege
June 6: Emergency LA Protest Against US Military Threats Towards Cuba
June 6 (NYC): Speak Out, No War on Cuba
June 7: Marx, Marti & The Cuban Revolution
June 8 (Monday), 2:30 pm ET: Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition monthly meeting on zoom. Register here for the June meeting.
June 9 (webinar): A Call for Unity from the Venezuelan Grassroots Hernán José Vargas Pérez, former Deputy Minister of Communal Economy; Cira Pascual Marquina, educator at the Pluriversidad Patria Grande of El Panal Commune; Leonardo Flores, Venezuela Solidarity Network
Delegations to Cuba, Nicaragua:
Cuba – Video: Yes You can Travel to Cuba
Witness for Peace 2026 delegations to Cuba
Friendly Planet delegations to Cuba
Nicaragua Casa Ben Linder Email casabenjaminlinder@gmail.com to apply:
July 2026: Solidarity in Action: Nicaragua’s Popular Revolution
October 2026: Salud & Solidaridad: Hands-On Healthcare in Nicaragua
Now offering Spanish classes! Fun and practical language classes at Casa Ben Linder – our model teaches 1/2 day class & 1/2 day practice in a community setting.
Chicago ALBA Solidarity 