The South African Communist Party (SACP) has announced plans to march to the United States Embassy in Pretoria on Thursday, pledging solidarity with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, whom it says are facing politically motivated charges in the US.
According to the SACP, the Venezuelan leadership is confronted with allegations ranging from narco-terrorism conspiracy to drug- and arms-related offences. The party claims the charges form part of a broader campaign of destabilisation against the Venezuelan government and has called for what it terms the “immediate and unconditional release” of the couple.
The announcement was made by SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila during commemorations marking the 31st anniversary of the death of struggle stalwart Joe Slovo. Mapaila used the occasion to criticise what he described as continued US interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, particularly in Latin America.
“We are organising a march to the US Embassy on Thursday,” Mapaila said. “All alliance components and progressive forces in South Africa are invited to join us. The United States should not expect peace in our country while it continues to destabilise others.”
The planned protest is expected to draw members of the Tripartite Alliance and other left-leaning organisations aligned with the SACP’s anti-imperialist stance. The party has long expressed support for Venezuela’s Bolivarian Revolution and has repeatedly condemned US sanctions and legal actions against the Maduro administration.
Thursday’s march is likely to add to ongoing diplomatic tensions between Washington and governments and movements in the Global South that view US foreign policy as coercive and interventionist.
About The Author
