A delegation from the World Anti-Imperialist Platform visited Italy from December 16 to 17 to meet with communist activists. The meeting focused on deepening their situational assessment of the Venezuela issue—a major point of contention in the current political climate—and sharing information on the strengthening trend of fascization in Italy under the Meloni administration. In particular, the Italian communist activists, noting Italy’s history where fascism rose to power after World War 1, expressed a serious view of the current crisis and emphasized the necessity of international solidarity and united struggle.
On December 16, the delegation met with the CARC Party (Party of the Committees to Support the Resistance for Communism) in Milan. Manuela Maj, the general secretary of CARC, 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. This involved about 30 dockworkers protesting against the shipment of weapons to Israel. The Meloni government is currently detaining and interrogating members who participated in the protests.”
She continued, “It is crucial to inform the public of the dockworkers’ struggle and actively engage in propaganda. The process of paralyzing the government in defiance of bourgeois law has awakened the masses and created an opportunity for them to oppose the social system.” She added, “We will continue to strengthen and expand the dockworkers’ struggle.”
Regarding the formation of defense brigades, she expressed her resolve: “The formation of defense brigades in each country is vital. We have the historical experience of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, and we deeply recognize its importance in the current situation. 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.”
The delegation stated, “We agree with the view that world war is inevitably arising due to the structural contradictions within capitalism. Imperialist forces are splitting into warmongering and non-warmongering factions, reflecting a reality where they cannot sustain a world war during the process of imperialist collapse.”
They added, “We support the ‘People’s Bloc Government’ line presented by CARC. The People’s Democracy Party also maintains a people’s government line. We have proposed key policies such as the nationalization of major industries including finance, welfare through reappropriation, the democratization of labor life, the social liberation of women, and the democratization of education, as stated in the report of our 3rd National Congress. We must theoretically and politically clarify not only the establishment of a people’s government but also the specific policies to be implemented. Let us deepen these contents through mutual exchange.”
On the same day, the delegation held a meeting with the Italian Communist Party (PCI) in Milan.
A member of the PCI emphasized, “The movement toward a multipolar world against the unipolar system of US imperialism is crucial. We must oppose imperialist war and struggle for peace. The communist forces within Italy must unite against Italy’s rearmament and militarization.”
They further assessed, “Solidarity with Venezuela is very important, and our party has long struggled for this cause. The film ‘Nicolas’ is a powerful weapon of struggle that breaks through distorted propaganda and counters the ‘demonization of President Nicolas Maduro’ by imperialist forces.”
The delegation shared their situational analysis, stating, “From September to December last year, imperialist forces made desperate attempts to provoke a war in East Asia. There were drone attacks on Pyongyang and an attempted declaration of martial law in December, but these were thwarted by the ‘strategic patience’ of the DPRK and the heroic struggle of the people in the ‘ROK.’ As the possibility of a world war 3 was derailed by the ‘strategic patience’ maintained by the DPRK and China, imperialist forces have turned their eyes toward Latin America and are conducting a show of force.”
They continued their analysis, “With President Maduro at the center, 8 million militia and the people are firmly united. Unable to proceed with direct military action, Trump seized a civilian oil tanker. This is no different from US imperialism confessing to the entire world that it is a terrorist group.”
On December 17, the delegation met with the progressive organization Popular Resistance in Florence to discuss Italy’s political status, the situation in Venezuela, and practical action plans.
Alessio Azzara, a member of Popular Resistance, stated, “The crisis of war is escalating due to Europe’s rearmament and militarization. Much like Germany’s rapid rearmament, Italy is also accelerating its pace of rearmament.”
He further emphasized, “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. We must inform them that politics is closely linked to our lives.”
He continued to denounce the current state, saying, “Italy has sent 10 million euros to Ukraine over the past five years. This is money made from the blood and sweat of the people. Funds that should have been spent for the people have evaporated into weapons and war costs.”
Corso Mignani, the head of propaganda, stressed, “There are still communist forces that view Russia and China as imperialist. Although we do not have major media outlets, we must not stop our propaganda even under difficult conditions. Italy needs scientific situational analysis and propaganda based on a correct line.”
The delegation analyzed the situation, stating, “There was a series of provocations across Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and East Asia—including the invasion of Kursk by Ukraine in August; the Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in September; the drone attacks on Pyongyang in October; and the martial law declaration in the ‘ROK’ and the fall of Syria in December. However, these were thwarted by the ‘strategic patience’ of the DPRK, China, Russia, and Iran.”
They added, “Trump is turning his gaze toward Latin America, targeting the Maduro government in Venezuela. The Venezuelan military and its people are united, and Trump’s attempts at military aggression are bound to fail.”
Furthermore, they emphasized, “The increase in defense spending by NATO member states, Germany’s expansion of conscription and training obligations, and the dissolution of the Communist Party of Poland will lead to the expansion of the war in Ukraine. In particular, the dissolution of the Communist Party of Poland is a fascistic measure to prepare for war and carries the risk of spreading throughout Europe; therefore, we must respond strongly.”
The delegation and Popular Resistance shared the achievements of their activities while watching a video documenting the three years of work by the World Anti-Imperialist Platform.
