Since September, the US has bombed six vessels in the Caribbean Sea allegedly from Venezuela, accusing them of carrying “narco-terrorists” and trafficking illegal drugs. The bombings were conducted as part of a new series of military aggressions against Venezuela, which President Donald Trump baselessly accused of supporting the “narco-terrorists.” These attacks have resulted in 27 extrajudicial killings carried out by the US.

Alongside the bombings, the US strengthened its military presence in the Caribbean Sea by deploying warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, and other combat vessels. It has also been flying helicopters, fighter jets, and B-52 bombers in international airspace near Venezuela.

Trump also ordered the Central Intelligence Agency to launch covert operations inside Venezuela against its government and people. This action aligned with Trump’s announcement to undertake further military measures against Venezuela and a regime-change scheme in the sovereign country. Trump even offered a ₱50 million bounty for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. These actions augment the existing economic sanctions long imposed by the US and its allies on the country.

Right-wing groups inside Venezuela have joined the US imperialist campaign of aggression. In the first week of October, Maduro’s government exposed an attempt by these groups to carry out a “false flag” operation that would plant and detonate a bomb at the US embassy in the Venezuelan capital Caracas to further inflame tensions.

Although closed since severing diplomatic ties between Venezuela and the US in 2019, the embassy building still houses some staff and security forces. Following this revelation, Trump ordered his government to halt any efforts to engage or negotiate with Venezuela.

Venezuela and the Maduro government remain unfazed by Trump’s attacks and threats. Maduro said “they will never enter Venezuela,” and the Venezuelan military and people are prepared to defend their country and sovereignty.

Global support for Venezuela

Groups worldwide have strongly condemned the US and Trump’s aggression against Venezuela.

The International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) called for resistance against the attempt to replace the Venezuelan government and all forms of hybrid warfare that have intensified under Trump.

US aggression against the Venezuelan government has been relentless since the country stood up against imperialist dictates. “The US has been relentless in its attempts to overthrow the democratically elected government of Venezuela, determined to use its oil revenues to enrich US monopoly capitalists and financial investors,” the ILPS stated.

The group declared that US aggression will only drive more people worldwide to support Venezuela and its just struggle for national sovereignty against US imperialism.

In the Philippines, the Philippine-Bolivarian Venezuela Friendship Association and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan lead the campaign supporting the Venezuelan government and people. They work closely with Chargé d’Affaires Richard Espinoza Lobo of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Embassy in organizing various activities and gatherings.

These include a meeting with Makabayan Bloc representatives at the House of Representatives on October 13. This meeting resulted in plans for the Makabayan Bloc to file a congressional resolution condemning US militarism and supporting the Filipino people’s struggle for peace, national sovereignty, and the right of all nations to self-determination.