IWA U.S. - Hands off Venezuela! US Out of our Homelands!
IWA US joins people across the world in condemning the bombing of Venezuelan civilians and military, the kidnapping of President Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, and the US's attempts to take complete control over the country. It is crystal clear what the Trump regime's real objectives are: for the US to seize control over Venezuelan oil reserves and strengthen US hegemonic stronghold over the Western hemisphere.
Trump ran on a campaign to "end unnecessary wars," a major selling point for many people who hoped that basic needs like economic livelihood, health, education and other issues would be addressed in the US. His hypocrisy is a knife to the back of the working class masses of the US, who are witnessing their hard-earned tax dollars disappear into the war machine. Since the launching of Operation Southern Spear in November 2025, the US's "counter-narcotics" campaign against Venezuela, it is estimated that they have already exceeded over $1 Billion dollars in expenses.
These attacks are also indiscriminately attacking Venezuelan civilians. Recent reports following the assault on January 3rd are stating that at least 80 have died with many more injured. One airstrike hit a three story residential home in Catia La Mar, injuring many and killing 80-year old Rosa Gonzalez. A TV/telephone wire that was collapsed by airstrikes fell onto a civilian's home, killing their neighbor and injuring their daughter. More of these stories are still emerging, and there is likely to be long-lasting impacts of these airstrikes on the livelihood of the Venezuelan people.
Venezuelan migrants are additionally among the most targeted by the Trump regime within the US. They have been subject to kidnapping, abuse and torture, and deportation to third countries. We have witnessed the US forcibly separate thousands of families through brute force and unconstitutional policy changes. This forced family separation includes the case of a a six-year-old Venezuelan girl who this last November was forced to defend herself in immigration court because upon Victoria's family’s arrival to Washington state, Victoria’s asylum claim was separated from her parent’s application. Victoria is among thousands of active cases across the country of migrant children and unaccompanied minors defending themselves and navigating the complexities of federal immigration court.
Under Trump's mass detention and deportation efforts, parents are taken into custody with elderly women and pregnant mothers amongst them, languishing in unlivable detention facilities or taking up the role as sole bread-winners to feed their families as they pursue precarious jobs without access to work visas with the cancellation of asylum processes.
We recognize that the decades of sanctions on Venezuela's economy and the intensifying militarized intervention in the country is at the root of the forced migration and displacement of millions, with mothers and children bearing the brunt of these attacks and shouldering the economic burden to support their families here and at home.
The destabilization efforts will only make fertile the ground for people's resistance. IWA US stands with the Venezuelan masses, and with our sisters on the forefront of resistance, who are unwavering in defense of their lives and country. We, as women in the belly of the US empire, must rise with them to defend Venezuelan sovereignty and join in their calls for the safe return of Maduro and Flores.
Release Maduro, Respect Venezuelan Sovereignty
Hands off Venezuelan migrants!
Defend our children!
Solidarity with the Venezuelan People! Reject U.S. invasion and militarization!
##