Women leaders from Venezuela and Nicaragua met in New York City to discuss their resistance to U.S. imperialism and highlight women’s advancements in their societies. Asia Villegas criticized U.S. deportation policies and sanctions affecting Venezuela, while Hazel Reyes presented Nicaragua’s gender equality successes. The event aimed to raise awareness and foster solidarity among oppressed groups.
On March 20, women leaders from Venezuela and Nicaragua engaged in an open discussion with U.S. anti-imperialist activists in New York City. This meeting coincided with their attendance at United Nations events focused on women’s organizations. Participants discussed the ways in which both countries resist U.S. imperialism and highlighted the achievements of women in these Latin American nations.
The timing of the meeting was significant due to recent illegal deportations of Venezuelan migrants in the U.S. by the Trump administration. The women emphasized the Bolivarian government’s readiness to welcome back migrants and advocate for their rights. Given the rarity of such meetings due to U.S. repression, the Workers World Party hastily uploaded a recording of the entire event on YouTube for broader access.
Asia Villegas, Deputy to the Venezuelan National Assembly, opened the discussion by criticizing the “external aggression” inherent in Trump’s administration. She pointed out the harmful effects of unilateral sanctions imposed on Venezuela, which have cost the country $650 billion and disproportionately affect women, who primarily care for children and access essential resources.
Villegas condemned the U.S. for its arbitrary deportation of Venezuelan migrants labeled as gang members, done without evidence or legal processes. She explained that U.S. economic policies have driven many Venezuelans to leave while initially offering temporary legal protections that have since been revoked.
She emphasized Venezuela’s rich cultural diversity, which includes Indigenous peoples and descendants of enslaved Africans. Villegas stated that Venezuelan people are not enemies of the U.S. and recognized the importance of communal organizations in resisting imperialist onslaughts. She concluded by expressing solidarity with oppressed peoples globally, notably the Palestinians and Cubans.
Hazel Reyes, the Nicaraguan speaker and Minister Counsellor, shared that Nicaragua ranks first in gender equality in Latin America according to the 2024 World Economic Forum. She attributed this success to the Sandinista Revolution, which has received sustained anti-revolutionary efforts from the U.S.
Reyes highlighted women’s advancements in education, noting that over half of higher education students in Nicaragua are women. The government’s commitment to ensuring a balanced representation in decision-making bodies further bolsters this progress, enabling significant improvements for Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities.
The meeting was co-chaired by Saher Al-Khabash and Mairead Skehan Gillis, who also provided translation for the speakers. Before the guests spoke, representatives from the Bronx Anti-War Coalition and the Brooklyn-based Mutual Aid and Scientific Socialism discussed their initiatives and community work.
The recent meeting in New York highlighted significant issues faced by women in Venezuela and Nicaragua amid U.S. imperialism. It served as a platform for discussing advances in women’s rights in these countries and emphasized the adverse effects of sanctions and deportations by U.S. authorities. The presentation of gender equality achievements by Nicaragua underscored the ongoing struggles against external aggression and the importance of solidarity among nations facing similar challenges.
Original Source: www.workers.org
