The Global Congress against Fascism, Neo-fascism and Similar Expressions hosted by the Venezuelan Bolivarian Republic was held in Caracas on September 10-11, 2024. The highlight on September 11 was chosen in commemoration of the death anniversary of Chilean President Salvador Allende, who was ousted by the US puppet and fascist General Pinochet in 1973. Allende together with other martyrs like Fidel Castro, Che Guevarra, and Julio Chavez serve as inspiration to freedom fighters in Latin America, the Carribean and the whole world in their continuing struggle against imperialism, local reaction and fascism.
The Congress was participated by 1,200 delegates coming from 95 countries of Latin America, the Carribean, Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe, United States, and Canada. Diplomatic representatives of Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia, People’s Republic of China and the Federal Russian Republic were present at the Congress. A representative of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) was also present in the conference.
The International League of People’s Struggles (ILPS) was among the Congress’ international delegates. Filipino participants observed that contrary to the fake news and narratives of Western press and social-media, Venezuela is peaceful, orderly, and people go around freely. In fact, compared to the Philippines, police and military troops are scarcely seen in public.
In Caracas, shops are open with sufficient food and other necessities available despite the severe crisis resulting from imperialist sanctions. Congress delegates visited “Communas” collectively engaged in agricultural production, handicrafts, and even production of electronic gadgets like tablets. Venezuela was compelled to increase local production of consumer goods amidst the crippling sanctions imposed by the US and the EU.
At the Congress, delegates exchanged views and debated on their understanding of fascism and neo-fascism, and resolved to strengthen their unity to frustrate US imperialist intervention and struggle for a freedom and democracy.
Newly reelected Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro made the closing remarks of the Congress. He declared that hosting the Congress in Caracas was fitting because Venezuela is currently at the epicenter of US imperialist laboratory in its intervention in Latin America and the Carribean. Building a strong global anti-imperialist unity is crucial in defeating US imperialism in its Ukraine proxy war against Russia, in its genocidal proxy war using Israel against the Palistinian people, and the brewing conflict against China in Asia.
President Maduro exposed that in the 2024 elections US imperialism used a new approach in its attempted ouster of the legitimate government. Unlike before where the US employed mercinaries to stage a coup de etat, now it used its puppet opposition led by Maria Machado and defeated Edmundo Gonzalez to foment unrest with mercenary saboteurs and widespread use of the Western controlled media and social media by spreading lies, fake news and narratives. They portrayed that the economic and humanitarian crisis generated by the imperialist crippling sanctions, as caused by “human rights violations of the dictatorial government and corruption”. They obfuscate the fact that prior to the imperialist sanctions, Venezuela was a progressive and fast developing economy because of the nationalist and socialist policies of the Chavez, and consequently the Maduro government.
In addition, they used imperialist funded NGOs and cyber attacks to derail the legitimate electoral process.
President Maduro was wildly applauded and joined by Congress delegates in his challenge to strengthen global unity against imperialism and fascism, shouting:”Hasta la victoria siempre!”