AMIDST the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the biggest health crises in recent history, the United States of America (USA) continues to spread its imperialist tentacles endangering the lives of millions of people across the world. From Latin America to Africa to Asia, the policies of regime change, brutal sanctions, and overt and covert aggressions by the US has caused devastating consequences and suffering to the people.
The recent aggression in Venezuela on May 3rd by US backed mercenaries, which was thwarted by the Bolivarian Armed Forces, and the armed attack on the Embassy of Cuba in the United States on May 1st, clearly reflects hostile policy of the US President Donald Trump.
Venezuela
The armed aggression against Venezuela comes just days after the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated the US support for ousting the democratically elected Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. In recent years, the US has intensified its imperialist attack against Venezuela by imposing brutal economic sanctions, and supporting and training right-wing opposition groups, backed by Venezuelan elites to destabilise the country and organise coup d’état. This hybrid war against Venezuela attempts to destroy its economy by curtailing supply for essential commodities and government revenue, and at the same time use armed opposition groups to overthrow the government.
The core aim of the US imperialist aggression against Venezuela is to destabilise the Bolivarian Revolution, which was led by former President Hugo Chávez. The revolution gave power to the working class and toiling masses in the country and initiated policies such as universal healthcare, housing and education. The nationalisation of Venezuelan oil resources led to an end to loot by US multinationals and Venezuelan elites that had suppressed the people for long. The fight against US imperialism in Venezuela lies in strengthening the pillars of the Bolivarian Revolution as envisioned by Chávez.
Cuba
In Cuba, last month the US government used the economic sanction against the Caribbean nation to stop Coronavirus aid shipment of 100,000 facemasks, COVID-19 diagnostic kits, ventilators and gloves. In 2019, the US government as part of its sanctions of Cuba invoked Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, which allows U.S. citizens to sue companies that profit from nationalised properties in Cuba. The economic coercion against Cuba dates back to the 1960s, after the revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro ended the brutal dictatorship of US backed Fulgencio Batista.
Cuba, in the aftermath of the passing away of Fidel Castro, continues to assert its independence from and defiance of US imperialism. The Obama administration had taken steps towards lifting the economic embargo on Cuba, but the Trump administration is reversing those steps. In the wake of Castro’s death, Trump’s tweets hinted at a US-sponsored regime change: terming Castro a dictator whose legacy was one of “unimaginable suffering, poverty, and denial of fundamental rights”, he declared that the US would do all in its power to help Cubans “begin their journey towards prosperity and liberty.” The Cuban people replied to these claims with massive participation in Castro’s funeral procession, reasserting their support for and hopes from the Cuban revolution.
Despite the US economic sanctions, Cuba continues to lead the COVID-19 response by sending Cuban medical brigade to the worst affected countries and providing medical assistance to the poor and marginalised in more than 60 countries.
CPIML Liberation continues to stand in solidarity with people of Venezuela and Cuba in their struggle against the US imperialism and right-wing forces.
Down with US imperialism!
Down with right-wing terror!
-- CPI(ML) Central Committee
