Philadelphia says: ‘No War on Venezuela!’
A packed room of Philadelphia activists heard Geo Maher, abolitionist educator, organizer and author; Elio Cordova, economist and Magister Scientiarium in International Economics in Venezuela; Fran Cienfuegos, organizer on behalf of the Frente Latino Anti-Fascista; Betsey Piette, managing editor of Workers World newspaper; and Auston Cole, National Co-coordinator of Black Alliance for Peace extol an anti-imperialist solidarity against U.S. war on Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba or anywhere.
“No War on Venezuela” public meeting, Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 2025. WW Photo: Joe Piette
Georjellis Rujaro chaired the meeting. In addition to those in the room, over 50 people registered on Zoom for the hybrid meeting.
Speakers noted that in escalating the attacks on Venezuela, Donald Trump is acting in the interests of the U.S. ruling class, which has long sought to control the country’s vast oil reserves. Trump is following the same pattern of “full spectrum domination” practiced by former President Barack Obama. Geo Maher reminded the audience that Trump started his term in office by threatening to take over the Panama Canal in order to keep China out of the region.
Questions discussed by the panelists included the costly impact of sanctions against Venezuela, Cuba and other countries in the region and the challenges of developing socialism in the face of a dangerous and dying capitalist system.
Speakers also addressed the challenges of a growing fascism faced by the antiwar and anti-imperialist movements at this time in the U.S.
The Dec. 11 hybrid meeting was organized and endorsed by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Korea Peace Committee of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America, W.E.B. Du Bois Movement School for Abolition and Reconstruction, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and Workers World Party.
Delicious arepas were served to all attending in person. For the recording of the meeting: tinyurl.com/uk8rj65w, Passcode: k&H5UdcQ.
