Fightback unreservedly condemns the murderous attacks by United States forces on Caracas, Venezuela, which have resulted in 40 deaths and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilla Flores.

By this act of naked aggression, the Trump regime has declared war on every country in the Americas. US imperialism has taken the mask off and no government which dares cross the whims of the personalist autocracy in Washington DC can feel safe. Donald Trump and his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio - considered to be the brains behind this escapade - are explicitly threatening Mexico, Cuba, and Colombia in particular.

With a few noble exceptions - for example, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez - allies of the United States have cravenly refused to condemn this act of naked force and contempt for even the rhetoric of international law. By this, "Western" governments lose any moral authority to condemn Russian aggression in Ukraine, or China's threats to Taiwan.

Amazingly enough, at this time it appears that there has not even been a regime change in Caracas. Maduro's government, under Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, appears to still be in control. There have been conflicting statements from Trump and Rodriguez over whether the PSUV leaders are cooperating with the US, but it seems clear that the Maduro regime is not capable of defending Venezuela's national sovereignty.

There has been considerable opposition within Venezuela to Maduro's policies, particularly his conduct of the 2024 election, the results of which are widely believed to be falsified. But only the Venezuelan people have the right to judge Maduro, and he and Flores must be returned to Venezuela so that can happen.

We call for nationwide emergency demonstrations across Aotearoa New Zealand, to demand that our own government condemn the "Donroe Doctrine". We also call for New Zealand's sporting organisations to boycott the Los Angeles Olympic Games, and the FIFA World Cup games to be held in the United States this year. In 2014, Putin's Russia waited for the Sochi Olympics to finish before beginning their aggression against Ukraine. Will Trump and Rubio wait for the closing ceremonies before giving the "Maduro treatment" to the President of World Cup co-host Mexico?

From Caracas to Kyiv to Gaza: total rejection of imperialist aggression!