International Colloquium Addresses U.S. Expansionism in Latin America
Caracas recently hosted the International Colloquium titled “Latin America and the Caribbean Facing U.S. Expansionism,” organized by the Simón Bolívar Institute for Peace and Solidarity among Peoples (ISB), reports 24brussels.
The event featured a range of political leaders, philosophers, historians, and geopolitical experts who gathered to examine the escalating threat posed by U.S. imperial ambitions in the region.
ISB President Blanca Eekhout opened the session with a strong condemnation of the “hostile and expansionist” policies of the United States, which she argued undermine the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean. Emphasizing the urgency to grasp the dynamics of U.S. expansionism, she noted that such policies have roots in imperialism and colonialism, provoking ongoing warfare and psychological operations directed by Washington.
“We do not seek war; we aspire to the full development of human potential. However, it is essential to deepen our understanding of how expansionism operates,” Eekhout emphasized, highlighting the complex nature of the conflict that involves economic pressures and disinformation aimed at destabilizing sovereign nations.
Philosopher Miguel Pérez Pirela, coordinator of the Network of Intellectuals and Artists in Defense of Humanity, pointed to the destabilizing impacts of the Donald Trump administration’s policies, which he argued have violated human rights and intensified media warfare against popular resistance. “Venezuelans remain focused on defending our sovereignty,” Pérez Pirela asserted.
Bolivian activist Sacha Llorenti criticized the broader strategy of the U.S. aimed at sowing chaos and weakening economies, suggesting the establishment of “permanent peoples’ tribunals” to hold leaders like Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu accountable for their alleged crimes against humanity.
This colloquium unfolds amid ongoing national discussions regarding U.S. imperialist threats. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, during the International Conference on Colonialism, Neocolonialism, and Territorial Plundering by Western Imperialism, declared the country’s resolute stance against external aggression.
“Venezuela has the right to peace, sovereignty, and, by right, to exist. No empire on this planet will ever take that away from us. And if necessary, we will transition from non-violent methods to armed struggle to defend ourselves,” Maduro stated unequivocally.
He further addressed the historical dominance of Western elites, predicting that Africa will emerge as “the century’s great surprise, with its dignity, wisdom, spirituality, and strength,” challenging the lasting legacies of colonialism and imperialism as the world moves deeper into the 21st century.
The discussions at the colloquium reflect a growing urgency among leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean to confront the influences of imperialism and assert their sovereignty against U.S. policies.
