About 50 people attended a protest on October 25 to call on the Labor government to condemn the United States’ attacks on Venezuela, Colombia and other Latin American countries. The action was organised by the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign (VSC).
Chris Slee, on behalf of the VSC, said that there is “no evidence” that the 30 people on boats the US sunk off the coast of Colombia’s Pacific Coast were drug smugglers. Why, didn’t they stop the boats and search them, he asked, rather than killing them?
“The US may be trying to provoke a response that would give a pretext for more attacks. These might include bombing Venezuela, commando raids, or a naval blockade to physically prevent ships from entering Venezuelan ports.”
Slee said the US has economic motives for wanting to control Latin America’s natural resources, but it also wants to “install governments that would follow a pro-US foreign policy”, noting that Venezuela and Colombia have criticised the US’ policies in the Middle East, including its support for Israel's genocide in Gaza. “install governments that would follow a pro-US foreign policy. Venezuela and Colombia have been very critical of US policies in the Middle East, including US support for Israel's genocide in Gaza.”
Speakers included a representative from the Latin American Solidarity Network, Australia-Cuba Friendship Society, the Colombian and Filipino communities, the Campaign for International Cooperation and Disarmament, Maritime Union of Australia, Bendigo Trades Hall Council, Socialist Alliance and the Communist Party of Australia.
