MANILA – Progressive organizations led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) along with the Philippines-Bolivarian Venezuela Friendship Association (PBVFA) marched to the US embassy, denouncing the United States’ (US) aggressive military attacks on Venezuela.

Last Saturday, after months of heightened tension between the US and Venezuela, the US carried out airstrikes and bombings in Caracas, Venezuela and abducted Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. US President Donald Trump accused Maduro of sending drugs and criminals to the US, and later declared that the US will “run the country” until a leadership transition could be set.

Progressives condemned these actions, saying these undermine Venezuelan sovereignty and disregard international law.

Joining the protest was Venezuelan national Tulio Camacho, who urged the public not to fall for US propaganda. He said that reports of the operation having no “casualties” are not true, and that at least 40 were killed from the attacks, many of whom were young soldiers. He also expressed his gratitude to those who support the Venezuelan fight against US imperialism.

The groups asserted that US imperialism is wielding military aggression to access  rich oil reserves for its own interests.

“The US aggression against Venezuela is not about peace, democracy, or combating crime. It is driven by the same motive that has fueled countless wars across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East: control over strategic resources and the suppression of independent, anti-imperialist projects. Venezuela is under attack precisely because it asserts national control over its oil and natural wealth and insists on an independent path free from imperialist domination,” Bayan said in a statement.

In solidarity with the Venezuelan people, groups shared the Philippine struggles amid US imperialism. They continued the calls for justice for the victims of US imperialism and criticized the Marcos Jr. administration and previous administrations for enabling US bases and military exercises that have long caused environmental destruction, and human rights violations in marginalized communities. (RVO)

Text and photos by Viggo Sarmago

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