Key Takeaways
- The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and other organizations held a picket to express opposition to American imperialism and support for Venezuela
- The protest was against the US’s attempts to remove Venezuelan President Maduro and gain control of the country’s oil resources
- The US has been accused of state terrorism and bullying tactics, with over 70 countries attacked since the setup of the United Nations
- The picket was also about defending international law, national sovereignty, and the right of peoples to determine their own future without foreign interference
- The US’s policy of war, coercion, sanctions, and regime-change operations against poorer countries or those of the Global South was rejected
Introduction to the Picket
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and other organizations recently held a picket to express their opposition to American imperialism and to show support for the people of Venezuela. The picket was attended by a significant number of people, and the organizers appreciated the turnout. According to Solly Mapaila, the general secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP), the picket was a necessary expression of the views of the people on the ground against American imperialism, which he described as a new form of colonialism that is "so unashamed, so naked, open." Mapaila emphasized that the US’s actions against Venezuela are motivated by a desire to gain control of the country’s oil resources, with President Donald Trump having declared that he needs up to 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela.
The US’s Motivations and Actions
Mapaila argued that the US’s actions against Venezuela are not about democracy or human rights, but rather about oil and removing President Maduro from power. He stated that the US has used "trumped-up charges" to justify its actions, and that the real motivation is to gain control of Venezuela’s oil resources. Mapaila also criticized the US for its history of aggression and interference in the affairs of other countries, saying that the country has plunged the world into a period of lawlessness. He accused the US of state terrorism, citing the fact that the country has attacked over 70 countries since the setup of the United Nations. This, he said, is unacceptable from a country that claims to be the center of liberty.
The Picket and its Objectives
The picket was jointly convened by a number of organizations, including Cosatu, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), the South African Communist Party (SACP), and the Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA), among others. According to a media advisory issued ahead of the protest, the picket was not only about Venezuela, but also about defending international law, national sovereignty, and the right of peoples to determine their own future without foreign interference. The advisory stated that the US’s policy of war, coercion, sanctions, and regime-change operations against poorer countries or those of the Global South is rejected, and that the picket was a demonstration of solidarity with the people of Venezuela and other countries that are resisting US imperialism.
The Broader Context and Implications
The picket and the issues it highlighted are part of a broader context of US imperialism and interference in the affairs of other countries. The US has a long history of using its military and economic power to influence the governments and policies of other countries, often with devastating consequences for the people of those countries. The situation in Venezuela is just one example of this, with the US using sanctions and other forms of pressure to try to remove President Maduro from power and gain control of the country’s oil resources. The picket and the statements made by Mapaila and others highlight the need for international solidarity and resistance to US imperialism, and the importance of defending international law and national sovereignty.
Conclusion and Call to Action
In conclusion, the picket held by Cosatu and other organizations was an important expression of opposition to American imperialism and support for the people of Venezuela. The US’s actions against Venezuela are motivated by a desire to gain control of the country’s oil resources, and are part of a broader pattern of aggression and interference in the affairs of other countries. The picket highlighted the need for international solidarity and resistance to US imperialism, and the importance of defending international law and national sovereignty. As Mapaila said, it is time for the people of the US to "remove that moron from office who is really killing the world and destroying international law." The picket was a call to action, and it is up to people around the world to respond to that call and work towards a more just and equitable world.