Interview with President Nicolas Maduro: The Importance of Venezuela on the Global Stage and the Resistance to Imperialism

“They believed that they had the perfect plan but underestimated the people of Venezuela and their capacity for resistance,” concluded Maduro, reaffirming his confidence in the strength of the Bolivarian movement in facing external adversities. Jan 1st, 2025 Photo: VTV

January 1, 2025 Hour: 7:29 pm

In a conversation with Ignacio Ramonet, Nicolás Maduro reflected on the international attention surrounding his upcoming inauguration on January 10, which coincides with that of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.

Ramonet questioned why there is so much interest in Venezuela, to which Maduro replied that it was due to a dispute over control and domination of the country.

The president recalled that Venezuela has been a symbol of anti-colonialist and independence struggles for two centuries.

“Here we are accompanied by symbols of our history, such as the sword of the Liberator Simón Bolívar, who led the Battle of Carabobo in 1821, and the dagger of the Grand Marshal of Ayacucho, who helped to liberate South America,” President Maduro mentioned, emphasizing the relevance of these objects in their current struggle.

Located in the presidential office of the Miraflores Palace, President Maduro stressed that these symbols are a constant reminder of the country’s history and legacy.

“They accompany us daily and remind us of where we come from and what our project is for the 21st century,” he said.

President Maduro also emphasized the maneuvers of the US “empire,” which he said believed it could deliver a definitive blow to Venezuela in 2024. He described what he called “deceptive diplomacy,” where the US uses blackmail and threats to try to control Venezuela.

He recalled the failed negotiations with the outgoing government of Joe Biden, referring to the talks in Barbados and Qatar, which were broken off by the United States.

“They favored the resurgence of a fascist extreme right that controls part of the Venezuelan opposition,” said President Maduro, pointing out that this group tried to orchestrate a conspiracy to destabilize the country.

However, the president assured that the plans of the empire did not account for the “immense power” of the historical bloc of the Bolivarian Revolution, which combines popular, military, and police power.

President Maduro continued to emphasize the strength of the civic-military-police union in Venezuela, a concept fundamental to the Bolivarian Revolution. “They do not acknowledge that in Venezuela there is a powerful historical bloc with a perfect fusion between popular power, military power, and police power,” he explained.

“It is what we call the popular-military-police fusion of the great historical bloc, taking from Gramsci’s concept developed by Chávez.”

The president stressed that this year has seen success in dismantling imperialist plans that seek to destroy the Bolivarian Revolution. “They continue their efforts, obsessed with destabilizing Venezuela,” he said.

President Maduro criticized how the presidential elections on July 28 were turned into an event of global interest, highlighting how social media was manipulated to amplify this narrative. “How many elections were there in 2024 around the world? Hundreds of elections,” he stated.

Ignacio Ramonet intervened, pointing out that 2024 was one of the most electoral years in history, to which Maduro replied: “But there were only two elections that really interested the empire: one in Venezuela on July 28 and one in the United States in November. They made it a worldwide choice.”

The president added that they are now trying to turn their January 10 inauguration into a global event with intentions to destabilize Venezuela. “They want to lead us down paths of chaos, division, and violence while calling for foreign military intervention,” he warned, referring to aspirations from within Venezuelan extreme right circles.

President Maduro reaffirmed that despite external and internal attempts at destabilization, Venezuela remains peaceful and calm. “Simply put, Venezuela is at peace—calm, quiet, and sure of its destiny,” he stated with determination.

He highlighted accumulated learning over 25 years of revolution that allows them to guarantee both Venezuelans and peoples worldwide that they will continue their path toward independence, peace, and revolution.

“Be sure of that,” concluded the president, conveying a message of confidence and determination amid adversities facing his government.