The delegation of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform (Platform) has successfully concluded its European tour. From December 9 to 18, the delegation toured six regions, including Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, southern Belgium, Milan and Florence in Italy, and Utrecht in the Netherlands.
This European tour was conducted to reaffirm and share the declarations, statements, and conclusions of the 9th World Anti-Imperialist International Conference. It aimed to organize defense and international brigades adapted to each country’s circumstances to support and protect the Maduro anti-imperialist popular government against the attacks of US imperialism, as military tensions continue to escalate.
The tour began with a visit to Spain from December 9 to 11.
On December 9, in Barcelona, the delegation met with core members representing the Communist Party of the Galician Republic to share the conclusions of the 9th World Anti-Imperialist International Conference and the situation in Venezuela, discussing methods of solidarity. The core members from Galicia showed deep interest in the screenings of ‘Nicolas’ organized by the Platform. They recognized the film screenings as a vital struggle for solidarity and for informing people of the truth about Venezuela, resolving to participate.
On the afternoon of December 11, the delegation met with several political organizations, including Union Proletariat, in Madrid. Participants resolved to engage in the anti-imperialist and anti-fascist struggle, stating, “the current demand is based on the historical precedent of the Comintern’s 1936 call to aid Spain against Nazi-Fascist aggression. The current aggression against Venezuela resembles the aggression the Spanish people endured then. We must stop imperialism and fascism.”
On December 14, the delegation met with the National Secretariat and core members of the Communist Party of Belgium to analyze the international situation surrounding Venezuela and discuss solidarity measures and practical projects. Members of the Communist Party of Belgium announced, “A Venezuela solidarity struggle will take place in Brussels on December 16. We will distribute propaganda materials from the Party and the Platform to inform people of the truth about Venezuela.” They also emphasized, “Responding to the militarization and rearmament of Europe is also urgent. A strong joint response is necessary.”
From December 16 to 17, the delegation met with Italian communist forces.
On December 16, in Milan, the representative and core members of the CARC (Party of the Committees to Support the Resistance for Communism) stated, “CARC members organized protests against the Meloni government and waged a powerful struggle through September and October. In particular, the Italian dockworkers’ struggle on November 28 was a significant and effective action.” Supporting the Platform’s decision to form defense brigades, they expressed their resolve: “An Italian defense brigade will serve not only for Venezuela solidarity but also as a catalyst to organize the struggle against the Meloni government and to rally new communists.”
On the same day in Milan, the delegation met with core members representing the PCI (Italian Communist Party). A member of the PCI emphasized, “The movement toward a multipolar world against the unipolar system of US imperialism is crucial. We must recognize the importance of forming defense brigades in each country.” They added, “We must oppose imperialist war and struggle for peace. The communist forces within Italy must unite against Italy’s rearmament and militarization.”
On December 17, in Florence, the delegation met with core members representing the “Popular Resistance” to discuss Italy’s political status, the situation in Venezuela, and practical action plans. They emphasized the importance of propaganda and organizing, stating, “With the strengthening of neoliberal political forces and right-wing factions, Italian workers are distancing themselves from politics, even giving up on voting. However, we must organize healthy workers within this environment.”
On December 18, the delegation met with the AFVN (Antifascist Former Resistance Fighters Netherlands) in Utrecht to share the situation in Venezuela and discuss practical measures. AFVN resolved to form a “Peace Brigade” in the Netherlands and announced plans to strengthen solidarity struggles with the Venezuelan anti-imperialist people’s government as part of the anti-imperialist and anti-NATO struggle. AFVN successfully screened the first part of the film ‘Nicolas’ in November and is currently preparing for the screening of the second part. An AFVN member stated, “Solidarity with Venezuela is crucial in the current political climate, especially in terms of preventing war. Imperialists are escalating the crisis of war and continuing their war propaganda. We must counter this by strengthening our own propaganda. The US seeks to instill economic fear. The consequences of war are miserable, leading not only to economic ruin but also to casualties. The Western system will eventually collapse.”
With the visit to the Netherlands, the Platform delegation concluded its six-week tour of Latin America and Europe. This tour proved the legitimacy and vitality of the formation of international and defense brigades decided at the 9th International Anti-Imperialist Conference.
In particular, the screenings of the film ‘Nicolas,’ the first project of the defense brigades, led to the significant achievement of everyone agreeing that it is a powerful weapon for crushing the ideological offensives and black propaganda of imperialism and for spreading the truth, leading to resolutions for collective action.
Through the tour, the delegation confirmed at every moment the strong will of the world’s people for the anti-imperialist and anti-fascist struggle. Under the acute situation preceding the full-scale outbreak of World War 3, everyone recognized and confirmed that the formation and activities of political international and defense brigades to lead the anti-imperialist struggle in each country constitute the practice of true proletarian internationalism.
