A coalition of Nigerian civil society organizations has issued a statement expressing solidarity with Venezuela while condemning what it describes as US imperial aggression and the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria, comprising several advocacy groups, released the statement addressing recent developments and defending its November visit to the Venezuelan Embassy in Abuja.
The coalition clarified that its visit to the Venezuelan Embassy in November was a diplomatic engagement opposing threats of military invasion and regime change operations against Venezuela. The group maintains that sovereign nations should not be subjected to destabilization or coercion. “We firmly believe in dialogue, diplomacy, and respect for international law, not military occupation or imperial aggression,” the statement read.
The coalition argued that narratives about combating drug and arms smuggling have historically been used to justify foreign interventions and resource exploitation, suggesting that Venezuela’s oil reserves and strategic resources are the actual targets of international interest.
The group demanded the immediate release of President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, whom they claim were unlawfully detained. They also condemned reported threats against Greenland, Iran, Nigeria, and other nations, framing these as attempts to access natural resources. The coalition criticized what it termed the politicization of historical financial claims from the 1990s, warning that such actions could expose Nigeria to external destabilization.
Drawing parallels to Nigeria’s historical solidarity with anti-apartheid movements in South Africa, the statement recalled how Nigerian youth once raised funds to support liberation struggles in southern Africa. “What Venezuela is facing today could confront Nigeria tomorrow if vigilance is abandoned,” the coalition warned.
The organizations called for an end to US interference in Venezuelan affairs, respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty and democratic institutions, and urged Nigerians to strengthen national unity and pro-masses policies as defense against foreign aggression.The statement was signed by representatives from five organizations: Gerald O. Katchy of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Blessing Yusuf of the Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria, Omole Ibukun of Creative Change Centre, Abiodun Emmanuel Fayemi
