Left parties condemn US aggression on Venezuela
New Delhi (PTI): Left parties on Saturday condemned the US attack on Venezuela, and said the real target is its oil reserves.
In a statement issued here, the CPI(M) demanded immediate end to US aggression and withdrawal of all its troops from the Caribbean Sea.
The CPI(M) said it "strongly condemns the blatant act of US aggression on Venezuela by bombing various sites in the country".
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"For the last few weeks the US has mobilised its military and naval forces around Venezuela in order to enforce regime change. This is the real face of the US National Security Strategy 2025, announced in the first week of December 2025," the CPI(M) said.
It said the concentration of US forces in the Western Hemisphere and open declaration of its intent to bring the entire region under its control represent the "Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine".
The Monroe Doctrine is a US foreign policy declaring the Americas off-limits to future European colonization and interference.
"Latin America should be declared a zone of peace and the US should not be allowed to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign countries," the CPI(M) said.
The Left party also said the the UN Security Council should pass a resolution condemning the US aggression and international pressure must be mounted on the US to immediately stop its aggression on Venezuela.
The CPI(ML) Liberation also condemned the attack, and said aims to impose a US-backed colonial order.
"A social media post by Donald Trump even claims that President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and flown out of Venezuela. This war is not just against Venezuela, but an open threat against every people in the region and across the world who strive to determine their own future free from imperialist dictates," it said.
CPI(ML) said the same lies used to justify the invasion of Iraq, the seizure of its oil, and the devastation of its people are now recycled as so-called "narco-terrorism" to justify a regime-change operation against President Maduro and the plunder of Venezuela, a country with largest oil reserves in the world.
"Trump's war on the people of Venezuela aims to impose a US-backed colonial order. It seeks to crush the Bolivarian Revolution that overthrew a US supported oligarchy and returned the nation's oil wealth to the people. The war is to seize Venezuela's oil once again for US multinational corporations and install a puppet government to serve imperialist interests," it said.
The Left party called the war the latest chapter in the "bloody history" of US intervention across Latin America and the Caribbean, manipulating elections, overthrowing democratically elected governments, subjugating people's movements, unleashing bloodshed, and imposing destruction.
"From Guatemala to Chile, from Grenada to Panama, the US Monroe Doctrine, which treats the Latin American region as its "personal backyard" and which Trump seeks to reinforce, has always meant subjugation, exploitation, and repression, denying the peoples of the region their right to sovereignty and self-determination," it said.
The CPI(ML) said it stands in unyielding solidarity with the people of Venezuela as they defend their sovereignty and their right to determine their own political and economic course, free from imperialist interference.
"We call upon all democratic and peace-loving forces worldwide to stand against this imperialist aggression and the attempts to impose a new order of colonial subjugation under the Trump regime," it added.
The Communist Party of India also strongly condemned the aggression, and called a gross violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the universally accepted principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference.
"Such imperialist adventurism gravely threatens peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean and endangers the lives of millions of Venezuelan people. The CPI unequivocally denounces this aggression, which once again exposes the aggressive nature of US imperialism and its contempt for international norms," it said.
The CPI expressed "firm solidarity" with the Government and people of Venezuela, and said the real objective of this attack is to seize Venezuela's oil and mineral resources.
The CPI called upon all peace-loving peoples, democratic forces, and progressive governments across the world, including in India, to raise their voices against this imperialist aggression and to stand in active solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution and the Venezuelan people in defence of peace, sovereignty, and self-determination.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
