People mobilized around the world to rally against the coup in Venezuela on February 23. In San Diego, members from Industrial Workers of the World, Veterans for Peace, ANSWER Coalition, Code Pink, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and others gathered in front of City Hall to stand in solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution.
The protesters at the event made demands opposing the “humanitarian aid” the U.S. government is trying to force the Venezuelan government to accept under threat of war. To this, PSL member Zach Bowersock posed the question, “We are constantly told that we should invade other countries to restore democracy and human rights, but what about our democracy and human rights?”
Venezuela is currently accepting aid from China, Cuba, Bolivia, Russia, and other countries which recognize Maduro as the president. The rejected aid comes from governments which who support the coup. This includes the governments of the United States, Colombia, and Brazil.
Ed Fox from Veterans for Peace stated, “This thing about going into Venezuela is just so corrupt.” He elaborated, “Good, bad, or ugly–it’s their country. They should have the right to do it.”
A speaker from IWW cited a statement from Veterans for Peace further elaborating on the organization’s stance. He pointed out that the majority of Venezuelan voters chose Maduro. “Nicolás Maduro is President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, elected twice as part of an internationally observed electoral process,” he stated. Even many representatives from other nations agree, including former U.S. President Jimmy Carter who was one of the observers. Juan Gerardo Guaidó Márquez has declared himself president contrary to this. But his organization, Popular Will, boycotted the election months before it was held in 2018. The Venezuelan government continues to hold hearings for the organization and calls for a peaceful end to the dispute.
The rally concluded with statements from attendees praising the resilience of the Venezuelan people and condemning U.S. imperialism. Members from the ANSWER Coalition urged attendees to join the upcoming national march on the White House. Responding to questions of what can be done locally, they also encouraged people to join a follow-up action at the University of San Diego on March 19th.
Organizers from around the world are urging people to stand united against imperialism. President Maduro has promised the people, “There will be no war in Bolivar’s and Chavez’s homeland. Peace will win over. Venezuela is to be respected!”
