“We must oppose the drive to war for oil, stand firm in our support for Venezuela’s sovereignty, and say clearly “hands off Venezuela”.”
By Labour Outlook
Last night, thousands gathered outside Downing Street as MPs debated Trump’s illegal kidnap of Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, his wife, Cilia Flores, alongside the US bombardment of Venezuela.
The protest, organised by the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign and supported by, among others, a host of Latin America Solidarity groups, Stop the War Coalition and CND, saw the crowds chanting “hands off Venezuela” and “occupation is a crime”. Speakers, including solidarity campaigners, trade unionists and MPs, demanded that Keir Starmer condemn the US attack, which stands in clear violation of international law.
The response from the Prime Minister and wider British Government has been only to insist on waiting for the US publication of the legal basis for the abduction – a position which has rightly been derided as ‘pathetic’, not only by those on the demonstration but journalists reporting from legacy media news rooms. Recent polling suggests that the public overwhelmingly opposes Trump’s attack, which is correctly seen by many as a grab for Venezuela’s oil – not least because the President has been so clear about his aspirations to take control of the country’s abundant natural resources in the wake of the bombing and kidnapping.
As Trump puts Maduro through a show trial and intensifies his threats, not only against Venezuela but countries across Latin America, and even Greenland, we must oppose the drive to war for oil, stand firm in our support for Venezuela’s sovereignty, and say clearly “hands off Venezuela”.
- Another protest will be taking place outside Downing Street on from 1pm Saturday, 10 January: No to Trump’s War on Venezuela – Free Maduro – Hands off Latin America. The protest is being organised by the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War and CND.
- You can follow the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign on Facebook and Twitter/X.
- If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles here and internationally, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.
