Bicentennial Congress of the Peoples of the World in Venezuela unites anti-Imperialist, anti-neoliberal struggles

Over 600 political leaders, intellectuals, activists and representatives of various progressive organizations, social movements and trade unions from across the globe met in Caracas to take part in an international forum, aimed at uniting people’s struggles against imperialism and neoliberalism

June 24, 2021 by Peoples Dispatch
Over 600 political leaders, intellectuals, activists and representatives of various progressive organizations and social movements from across the globe take part in the Bicentennial Congress of the Peoples of the World in Venezuela. Photo: CBPM

The Bicentennial Congress of the Peoples of the World, which began in Venezuela’s capital Caracas on June 21, will culminate today on June 24. More than 600 political leaders, intellectuals, activists and representatives of various progressive organizations, social movements and trade unions from across the globe have come together with the aim to promote a platform for the anti-imperialist and anti-neoliberal struggle from Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, beginning in February, held virtual meetings with hundreds of delegates from over 80 countries and invited them to join the meeting.

During the four-day-long international forum, the delegates aim to establish a common position on the crises of capitalism, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States’ military plans and unilateral coercive measures against the nations that resist imperialist attacks.

They are discussing and developing strategies to achieve higher levels of international solidarity among progressive forces in order to support the social struggles against the implementation of neoliberal policies, the political struggles in the elections to bring about the changes necessary for humanity, as well as to construct a better world based on the principles of freedom and equality.

They are also seeking to exchange ideas and opinions to face the recession in the world economy and its economic and social impacts on the people with progressive measures. They are calling for strengthening the unity of the people in the construction and defense of peace among all nations, of participatory and protagonist democracy, of human rights and of the right of countries to self-determination.

Jaime Vargas, president of the Confederation of the Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), in conversation with MIUVEN, highlighted the importance of the Congress and said that “we believe that it is the only mechanism to reach agreements, strengthen a great strategic alliance and build a great unity of the peoples of the world so that we can think, rethink and try to see what path can be chosen to change the world. Today we are experiencing a very critical, very hard moment. We are facing it from our spaces. In this regard, I believe that the experience of Indigenous people, the social struggles of our people, of the workers, young people and women have transcended the fact that today we have convened this great Congress in order to unite efforts.”

Likewise, Alejandro Enrique Mártir, member of the Tacupan Indigenous Council of El Salvador, told Kawsachun News, that his main objectives of attending the Congress is “to expand the bonds of friendship and work together with other brothers from all parts of the world on important issues such as COVID-19, the rights of the people, the right to self-determination, and in addition to this, build a work agenda that includes all the peoples of the world in a single voice.”

The international conference is being held as part of the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Carabobo, which led to the independence of Venezuela from Spain. On June 24, 1821, under the leadership of Liberator Símon Bolívar, an army of patriots defeated the Spanish empire. Following this victory, the Venezuelan army headed to free the people living in neighboring countries: Colombia, Panama, Ecuador and Bolivia. The event has been organized to honor this historic sense of solidarity and internationalism of Venezuelans and to commit to continue the legacy of the Bolivarian leader.