The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) International Office joins all other revolutionary organizations and peoples around the world in extending its sympathies and much needed support to the people of Venezuela as they face the devastating consequences of two successive major earthquakes that hit the country last June 24. Thousands have already been confirmed dead and thousands more are missing.
We look up to the unity, collective resilience and determination of the Venezuelan people as they face this natural calamity amidst the devastation caused by decades of US imperialist sanctions, plunder and aggression in Venezuela.
After the twin earthquakes that struck the country, Trump announced a $150 million aid package. While assistance for affected communities is urgently needed, the Venezuelan people know from experience that US intervention is never motivated by humanitarian concern alone. Much like how US assistance to the Philippines has long been tied to the expansion of American military, political, and economic influence, US aid to Venezuela cannot be viewed separately from Trump’s continuing efforts to consolidate a political order more favorable to US imperialist interests.
Faced with the weight of sanctions and other coercive measures, the current Venezuelan government has been compelled on several occasions to accommodate Trump’s demands that it would not have otherwise accepted. The objective of continued US intervention in Venezuela is to allow the unbridled access to the country’s vast oil reserves that continue to fund their free healthcare system, education and other basic social services including disaster response.
This continued aggression is only bound to ignite the patriotic anger of the Venezuelan peoples and unite them in greater resistance against US imperialism as it did in the case of Iran. Iran’s valiant resistance against the immense military strength of US imperialism demonstrates that sovereign nations, even if they are comparatively smaller, can defend their sovereignty and successfully resist US imperialist domination.
The Filipino people face similar conditions of US imperialist domination in the form of expanding US military access and presence in the country in efforts to draw the Philippines more deeply into an impending war with China. These developments underscore the common struggle of peoples around the world who seek genuine independence and self-determination.
The NDFP calls on revolutionary movements, national liberation struggles, progressive forces, and anti-imperialist organizations across the world to stand in solidarity with the Venezuelan people during this critical period. The NDFP and the entire Philippine revolutionary movement stand with the Venezuelan people as we build upon the resilient spirit of our peoples to recover and triumph over disasters brought by nature, but especially those brought about by US imperialism.
