Kerala Chief Minister and senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Pinarayi Vijayan has launched a scathing attack on the United States, condemning its recent legal actions against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Vijayan characterised the US move as a blatant act of American imperialism intruding into Venezuela's sovereign affairs.
Vijayan's Strong Condemnation of US Action
In a strongly-worded statement released on Sunday, the Kerala Chief Minister expressed his party's solidarity with the Venezuelan government and people. The controversy stems from a recent development where the US Department of Justice unsealed indictments and the State Department announced a significant reward for information leading to the arrest of President Maduro. Vijayan described this as an attempt at the "capture" of the Venezuelan President by the United States.
"The action of the US government is a crude manifestation of the imperialist policy of regime change," Vijayan stated. He accused the US of consistently trying to undermine and overthrow the legitimately elected government of Venezuela, which is led by the United Socialist Party and President Maduro. The CPI(M) leader emphasised that such actions violate all established norms of international law and sovereignty.
Background of the US-Venezuela Confrontation
The United States, along with several other nations, has refused to recognise Nicolas Maduro's re-election in 2018, labelling it as fraudulent. Instead, it has recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate interim president. The recent US actions include indictments against Maduro and several other top Venezuelan officials on charges of narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking. The US State Department has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Maduro's arrest.
Vijayan's statement frames this not as a law enforcement action but as a political tool. "This is not about justice or combating crime," he argued. "It is a politically motivated act aimed at destabilising a country that has chosen a path independent of US diktats." He pointed to Venezuela's vast oil reserves as a key reason for US interest, suggesting that control over these resources is a primary motive behind the pressure campaign.
CPI(M)'s Stance and Call for Indian Government Action
The Kerala CM, speaking on behalf of the CPI(M), called upon the Government of India to take a clear and principled stand on the issue. He urged New Delhi to condemn the US actions and reaffirm its commitment to the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations, which is a cornerstone of India's foreign policy.
"India has historically stood against imperialism and colonialism," Vijayan reminded. "It must now raise its voice against this modern-day imperialism seeking to subjugate the people of Venezuela." He warned that allowing such acts to go unchallenged sets a dangerous precedent for all nations that do not align with Western geopolitical interests.
The statement also expressed full support for the people of Venezuela in their "struggle to defend their sovereignty and their right to choose their own government without foreign interference." This alignment with the Maduro government is consistent with the Left's historical opposition to US foreign policy in Latin America and elsewhere.
Implications and the Road Ahead
Vijayan's forceful intervention highlights how international issues, particularly those involving anti-imperialist rhetoric, resonate in the domestic political landscape of Kerala, where the Left Democratic Front is in power. It reinforces the CPI(M)'s ideological positioning on the global stage. The statement is likely intended to mobilise the party's base and draw clear ideological lines against the BJP-led central government, which has cultivated closer ties with the US.
The escalating tension between the US and Venezuela, now amplified by voices from Indian political leadership, underscores the complex interplay of global power politics. As major economies grapple with the fallout, the stance of nations like India, which has significant energy ties with Venezuela, will be closely watched. The Kerala CM's statement adds a distinct Indian political voice to the international debate on sovereignty, intervention, and the limits of global power.
