In the early hours of January 3, 2026, U.S. imperialism attacked the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, kidnapping President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The President’s location is unknown, but news reports suggest he is being transported to New York City to face bogus charges of terrorism and narco-trafficking. There were numerous explosions throughout Caracas and at least three military bases. The number of people killed and injured has not been confirmed.
Rodriguez, the Vice-President of the Bolivarian Republic, has called for “proof of life” for the kidnapped president and his wife. In addition, she has called for the people to take to the streets and prepare to defend the country. Contrary to the lies of Trump the Venezuelan government remains in power and is mobilizing the population to defend their sovereignty.
The Canadian Peace Congress condemns, in the strongest possible terms, this act of imperialist aggression against the sovereign state of Venezuela, its president and people. The brutal face of American imperialism is clear for all to see. We know that this attack has nothing to do with drug trafficking but is squarely aimed at Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
We remind the peace-loving population that U.S. and Canadian aggression against Venezuela dates back to the days of President Hugo Chavez who took the bold step to nationalize Venezuelan oil to serve the interests of his people. In 2002, the U.S. backed a coup to remove Chavez and recognized Pedro Carmona as president. The coup failed due to the massive response of the Venezuelan working class and peasantry!
Hungry for the massive profits to be gained by stealing Venezuela’s natural resources the U.S. proceeded to prop up puppets like Juan Guaido and Maria Corina Machado and instigated numerous terror attacks against civilians and public infrastructure.
Again, the people rose to defend their sovereignty!
More recently, the US has moved massive military resources into the southern Caribbean to blockade Venezuela. US forces have murdered at least 116 civilians with naval strikes against civilian boats. As Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has stated US actions can only be described as state terrorism.
Following dictates from Washington Canada, for its part, has played a nefarious role by creating the so-called Lima Group which also backed various Venezuelan traitors such as Guaido and Machado.
Our Congress demands that the Canadian government immediately and forcefully condemn this illegal act of aggression against a sovereign nation. This American criminal act of state terrorism violates every aspect of the UN Charter and sets a very dangerous precedent that threatens every state in the Americas and the Caribbean.
We express our whole hearted support to the people of the Bolivarian Republic and demand the immediate release of President Maduro and Cilia Flores and their safe return to Venezuela.
Hands off Venezuela!
Death to US imperialism!
Make Latin America and the Caribbean a Zone of Peace!
Executive Committee, Canadian Peace Congress
January 3, 2026