‘Hands Off Venezuela’: PH progressive groups protest against U.S. imperialism

By Nash Villena, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
January 7, 2026

HANDS OFF VENEZUELA. Progressive groups marched Monday to the United States Embassy in Manila to condemn the recent aggression of the Trump administration against Venezuela (Jan. 06, 2026). (Photo courtesy: Philippines-Bolivarian Venezuela Friendship Association/Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — Progressive and anti-imperialist groups led an indignation protest Monday in front of the United States Embassy in Manila to denounce the Western superpower’s recent aggression against Venezuela and its people.

Joined by protesters from the Philippines-Bolivarian Venezuela Friendship Association (PBVFA), Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), and other organizations, the united front condemned the acts of the US forces “that blatantly violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty.”

The groups described the abduction on Saturday of Venezuela’s head of state, Nicolás Maduro, and his First Lady, Cilia Flores, along with the violent bombings across parts of the country, as an attempt by the US to mask its imperialist agenda in the name of “war on drugs.”

They argued that the position of the Philippines and Venezuela under the US is not entirely separate, noting the superpower’s role in interfering with the two sovereign countries’ local political affairs.

“The U.S. has also consistently meddled in both Philippine and Venezuelan elections, ensuring that puppets loyal to its imperialist interests are installed, even when these figures are corrupt elites betraying their own people. The difference is that Venezuela entered an era independent of imperial dictates after a series of US-backed dictatorships,” PBVFA’s statement read.

“It is within these parallels that we reaffirm our commitment to the enduring friendship between Filipinos and Venezuelans. We stand firmly with the Venezuelan people in their anti-imperialist struggle against U.S. domination, as we always have and always will,” it added.

In a separate statement, BAYAN asserted that the recent armed operation by the US in Venezuela is “not about peace, democracy, or combating crime” but rather “is driven by the same motive that has fueled countless wars across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East” that is, the control of resources and the suppression of anti-imperialist projects.

“What is happening in Venezuela today once again exposes the true nature of US imperialism as a principal source of war, instability, and repression in the world. From sanctions and economic sabotage to direct military assault, the United States employs every means available to crush governments and peoples who refuse to submit to its political and economic dictates,” the group said.

Dangerous precedent under the US heel

HANDS OFF VENEZUELA. Progressive groups marched Monday to the United States Embassy in Manila to condemn the recent aggression of the Trump administration against Venezuela (Jan. 06, 2026). (Photo courtesy: Philippines-Bolivarian Venezuela Friendship Association/Facebook)

BAYAN cited the glaring precedent the aggression against Venezuela has set, serving as a “stark reminder” to Filipinos that the US “has a long and bloody record as a war criminal—from Vietnam and Iraq to Afghanistan, Palestine, and now Venezuela” and constantly endangers the Philippines by allowing US interests to take hold, especially with its existing bases on Philippine soil.

Upholding its stance against imperialism, BAYAN also slammed the current Philippine government for being subservient to the US and called for the removal of all its military bases and facilities in the archipelago.

“We [also] condemn the Marcos Jr. government for recklessly and treasonously promoting the US geopolitical agenda at the expense of our sovereignty and the security of our people,” BAYAN said.

“The presence of US troops, facilities, and military agreements such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) only strengthens US capacity to wage wars of aggression and drags the Philippines deeper into imperialist conflict. Genuine national sovereignty and lasting peace are impossible while foreign military forces operate freely in our country.”