Version imprimableThis is an open imperialist invasion, as it was in Grenada (1983), Panama (1989), Iraq (1991, 2003-2011), and in Afghanistan. The Maduro regime was not a direct extension of the Chavez era. Many legitimate criticisms can be made of it from a revolutionary socialist perspective. But all this means, the task of getting rid of the Maduro regime lies with the workers and the other popular masses of Venezuela.
The US imperialist invasion, the kidnapping of Maduro and his wife Cilia Adela Flores, the subsequent announcement that they will be tried in accordance with US law in a US court, as well as the announcement by Trump that the US will run Venezuela, shows with the utmost clarity that imperialism no longer requires even the fig leaf of legality. This is a direct return to gunboat imperialism, to full fledged colonialism, which liberals and reformist pandits were announcing is no longer possible. When the large stock of Venezuelan oil is concerned, the US-China or US-Russia confrontation take priority over such stuff as international law. This also shows clearly that international law is an oxymoron used when it suits imperialists to act against their opponents, but has no value against imperialists like the US President Trump and those they support (e.g., Netanyahu). UK Prime Minister Starmer immediately supporting the removal of Maduro (and calling, laughably, for a peaceful transition) shows that the bourgeois and social democratic “alternative” to Trump will line up, merely making a few statements that satisfy their core constituencies. EU, Russia, China, have been engaged in cautious statements, which even when condemning the invasion, is ritualistic.
The US action shows that if there is a terrorist state, a rogue state, in the world, it is the US along with Israel. For waging an unlawful war, had there been a real war crimes court capable of reaching all, Trump and the top US military officers should have been tried as war criminals.
We do not uncritically support Maduro. Our support is to the people of Venezuela. But they cannot wage their struggle freely while under US military control, or a spurious democracy installed by the US only after it ensures its local puppets will retain power. The task of revolutionaries, internationalists, is to oppose the US war without any qualification. We demand the release of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Adela Flores – it is up to the Venezuelan people to judge and elect whom they want.
We demand that the Indian state, itself the result of a prolonged struggle against colonial exploitation, must openly and publicly condemn the US invasion and call for international coordination against that.
We urge Indian left forces, trade unions, and other democratic mass organisations to jointly organise all possible anti-imperialist, anti-aggression protests/demonstrations including in front of US embassy and consulates.
• Down with the US Imperialists!
• Imperialism, hands off Venezuela!
• Only the working people of Venezuela can try Maduro, not an imperialist kangaroo court!
4 January, 2026
