Caracas, September 10, 2024. – The Executive Secretary of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), Jorge Arreaza, participated this Tuesday in the World Congress against Fascism, Neo-fascism, and other similar expressions, held in Venezuela on September 10 and 11.

“Since antifascism calls for the fight for equality, it is necessary to redefine the concept of neo-fascism in order to understand each other with the rest of the peoples,” Arreaza stated during the presentation “The rise of Neo-fascism in contemporary politics of Latin America and the Caribbean.”

According to Arreaza, if fascism were to take hold in Venezuela, “we would be subjected to an unpredictable situation, likely a civil war.”

He said, “Here in Venezuela, the struggle continues; they will persist, and we will persist in defending the Homeland and the Revolution.”

The Executive Secretary of the Alliance defined fascism as a superior phase of imperialism. “We could say that fascism is the superior phase of imperialism, of neoliberal imperialism, where the Nation-State loses its centrality, as if a transnational state existed.”

Essential strategy against fascism

On the other hand, Ecuadorian sociologist Irene León emphasized the importance of keeping alive the idea of the feminist revolution promoted by Commander Hugo Chávez as a foundation for the fight against neo-fascism.

León acknowledged Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for his wise strategy of convening this congress, which she described as ideal for designing initiatives to defend humanity against fascism.

Similarly, Cuban writer and politician Abel Prieto stated that fascism must be combated with culture. “One of the most troubling things is seeing young people voting for fascists,” he remarked.

Representing Argentina, Lucas Aguilera and Óscar Laborde expressed their gratitude to the people of Venezuela for setting an example of resistance and progress against hate attacks.

“We commend the effort to organize this event (…) We are living in complex times, in a deep crisis; we live in constant anxiety, and we are entering a new phase of capitalism, a phase of social dissatisfaction,” Aguilera emphasized.

Meanwhile, Laborde urged a deep understanding of the enemy. “This is a battle of ideas, and anyone who does not grasp that has already lost the fight.”

Overall, the intellectuals and speakers affirmed that the alternative to fascism lies in the unity and genuine integration of the peoples.