“There can be no doubt that not only do we live in an era of permanent war, but also that the aggressions of the US Empire are deepening in the era of Trump 2.0.”
Matt Willgress’ ‘Red Weekly’ column below is based on the speech he gave at a recent Latin America solidarity event during Labour Conference.
Speaking at an event in solidarity with Latin America’s left during Labour Conference 2025, I argued that “the returning Trump [is] launching a new phase in the ongoing war of US imperialism against the majority of humanity,” noting amongst other threats the possibility of wars on Venezuela and Iran.
Now, these threats of war have tragically come to pass, and the estimated death tolls from these wars (all in this year, 2026, alone) are as follows:
- In Lebanon, at least 4,386 deaths and 12,407 injuries. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health this includes at least 247 children, and at least 135 medical personnel. Over 1.2 million people (more than 20 percent of the population) have been displaced.
- In Iran, state-linked sources say over 75000 people have died from the US war. The Guardian has reported that more than 340 children are amongst these.
- In Venezuela, January’s attack – which also saw the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro in a blatant breach of international law – killed over 100.
- Additionally, over 220 have been killed this year in US naval strikes in the Caribbean against people it claims are smuggling drugs, and which was a ‘justification’ for the illegal war on Venezuela. Recently, a UN report has said they could be a crime against humanity – they are certainly a clear illustration of how Trump’s aggression in the region continues.
There are other costs as well.
It was estimated that Trump’s war on Iran cost an incredible $2 billion a day initially – imagine that figure now.
In terms of the climate, 5m tonnes of CO2 were emitted in just the first 14 days of US war on Iran. Again, imagine that figure now.
Now, war on Cuba is a real threat. Already, Trump’s criminal “maximum pressure” offensive against Cuba in has pushed the island into deep economic and energy crises, on the top of decades of the illegal economic blockade, which is overwhelmingly condemned each year at the United Nations.
Open about the aiming to force a “fundamental change” (in other words illegal ‘regime change,’) the U.S. has implemented a strict fuel blockade and severely tightened banking restrictions. Cuba has condemned these actions as a form of “collective punishment” – and international campaigners have condemned what is nothing more than an attempt to stave the people of Cuba.
Elsewhere in Latin America, against the country’s constitution and the result of a national referendum in 2025, Ecuador is becoming a massive US military base with US troops ever-present in the county.
There can be no doubt then not only do we live in an era of permanent war, but also that the aggressions of the US Empire are deepening in the era of Trump 2.0.
It is also important though to also note that these wars and interventions have not only been condemned by Governments across the world – in the cases of the wars on Iran and Lebanon, and crimes against Cuba, even reaching into Governments in Europe itself – but also by significant protests.
To give just two examples, in Italy there have even been national strikes against Israel’s wars and militarism more generally. Greek dock workers have taken inspirational industrial action along similar lines to try and stop the flow of weapons.
The aforementioned international movements against war – including those in solidarity with the people of Latin America against Trump’s colonisation attempts – have made the links between the twin drives for war and profits with slogans around ending arms sales, putting people and planet before private profit, and for welfare not warfare. These are messages socialists and solidarity campaigners here must bring into the middle of all of our campaigning, including around an alternative economic strategy.
On the international Left, let us not only unite with these people-powered movements across the globe, but also redouble our efforts here to build movements to end war for good and to stand with Latin America’ Left against Trump’s attacks.
- Add your name to the UCU’s Wages Not Weapons: Peace Not War petition here.
- Take part in Stop the War Coalition’s International Movement Against War on Tour – the full list of events can be found here.
- The Red Weekly Column will appear each week on Labour Outlook from one of our regular socialist contributors.
- If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles here and internationally, please donate here or become a supporter on Patreon.
