Caracas, April 11, 2025 – On April 11, 2002, Venezuela became the stage of one of the most significant and controversial episodes in its recent history: a coup d’état against President Hugo Chávez. Opposition groups (supported by the United States) gathered in the streets to protest against his government. The demonstrations, which initially appeared peaceful, turned violent when clashes erupted between protesters and security forces.

Chávez was arrested and taken to a military facility. Pedro Carmona, leader of the Venezuelan Confederation of Workers (CTV in Spanish), assumed power as president illegitimately.

This new government faced strong resistance in the streets and manipulated events through the media, while Chávez’s supporters began to mobilize in large numbers.

On April 13, after intense protests and mounting pressure from both the public and the military, Chávez was reinstated as president. This event not only marked a critical turning point in Venezuelan politics, but also left an indelible mark on the country’s history.

Caracas, April 10, 2025.- Emiliano Zapata, the renowned Mexican revolutionary leader known for his relentless fight for peasant rights and agrarian reform, was assassinated on April 10, 1919.

His death plunged Mexico into mourning and deeply moved millions who admired him as a symbol of resistance and social justice.

Zapata, famously associated with the slogan “Land and Liberty,” was a key figure in the Mexican Revolution. From his native state of Morelos, he led a movement aimed at returning land to those who worked it, standing up against the injustices of the agrarian system of his time.

His legacy endures in the collective memory as a tireless defender of the people’s rights.

Zapata became one of the most important symbols of peasant resistance in Mexico. He commanded the Liberation Army of the South, and his core ideals centered around social justice, freedom, equality, social democracy, and respect for indigenous, peasant, and working-class communities.

The life and work of Emiliano Zapata will continue to inspire future generations in their pursuit of a more just and equitable society.

Caracas, April 9, 2025 — This Wednesday, during the 9th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, participating countries addressed key regional issues, including regional unity and migration.

With the participation of 33 delegations from different countries, the historic fraternity among the nations present was underscored.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro emphasized that sister nations cannot move forward in isolation, nor unite based on past mistakes.

“We condemn the blockade against Cuba, recognize the sovereign rights of the people of Venezuela, the sovereignty of Nicaragua, acknowledge the resistance of Haiti in its demand for a sovereign homeland, and condemn the genocide against Palestine,” she stated.

She also recognized the rights of other peoples represented at the summit, expressing solidarity with the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, as well as with Haiti’s right to chart its own path free from foreign interference.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, in a video message, supported the statements made by the attending countries and affirmed, “Colonialism is not an option for our America. We hope to continue advancing toward a united, peaceful, and democratic Latin America and Caribbean.”

He denounced the persecution faced by Venezuelan migrants.

“All our migrants are being treated like criminals. We denounce, from Venezuela, the law that directly criminalizes any migrant and sends them to concentration camps that operate as prisons in Ecuador. Imagine what CELAC could achieve if we came together as a powerful bloc of unity (…) They have tried to divide us. It is time to rise and speak with one voice.”

He asserted that CELAC must strongly resume the convening of Ministerial Councils, “as Honduras has done through its extraordinary presidency.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum joined in the condemnation of the blockades against Cuba and Venezuela, and emphasized that migrants have driven the U.S. economy.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro assumed the pro tempore presidency of CELAC and stated that no migrant should arrive at a prison in handcuffs to be treated as a criminal, because they are not. Latin America must not lower the banner of human dignity.

Petro also called on Latin America to continue upholding the banner of human dignity. He recalled being insulted for stating that “migrants are not criminals and should not arrive in chains,” referring to the historical legacy of human trafficking and slavery.

He added that if “even one migrant arrives in chains on our soil, we are not only returning to the era of slavery—solitude is the chain.” He further remarked that Latin America must never lower the banner of human dignity, “because that is what gave birth to us as Republics.”

“None of us is a monarchy. The discussion on migration cannot happen in isolation; it must be collective, shared, part of an agenda of assistance and collaboration, and it could yield multilateral outcomes,” he stated, adding that “the war on drugs is no longer Colombia’s problem alone—it is a multinational, global issue.”

Petro proposed establishing a multilateral agenda to address the challenges of migration and drug trafficking, and affirmed that the root cause of migration is poverty induced from the Global North.

On the other hand, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated that Latin America and the Caribbean are currently facing one of the most critical moments in history.

“The interference of major powers has been—and remains—a shadow over us. Migrants are deported in degrading conditions. The current moment demands that we set aside our differences.”

He further added: “Migrants are criminalized and deported in degrading conditions. Arbitrary tariffs destabilize the international economy and drive up prices. History teaches us that trade wars have no winners.”

He stressed that the region’s autonomy “is once again under threat.” “Attempts to restore old hegemonies loom over our region. Freedom and self-determination are the first victims of a world without multilaterally agreed rules,” he noted.

Bolivian President Luis Arce highlighted the need to reaffirm the commitment to a united Latin America.

“When we are fragmented, we are weak, and the powerful take advantage. CELAC must become a space for coordination, where we can speak with one voice and without interference.”

He likewise rejected and condemned the criminalization of migration, mass deportations, and inhumane treatment of migrants, as these violate human rights.

Tegucigalpa, April 9, 2025 — In light of the region’s current challenges, the Heads of State and high-level representatives of CELAC reached consensus on the so-called Tegucigalpa Declaration, the main document arising from these forums.

The eleven leaders present in Honduras, including the host President Xiomara Castro, underscored the continued relevance of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, eleven years after its signing during the Second Summit held in Havana, Cuba.

A zone of peace grounded in the promotion and respect for the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and International Law, international cooperation, democracy, the rule of law, and multilateralism.

The document states that it is also based on the protection and promotion of all human rights, respect for self-determination, non-intervention in internal affairs, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Likewise, representatives from 30 of the 33 CELAC member countries rejected the imposition of unilateral coercive measures contrary to International Law, including those that restrict international trade.

They affirmed their shared conviction that it is timely and appropriate for a national from a Latin American or Caribbean state to hold the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.

They recalled that out of the nine individuals who have served as UN Secretary-General to date, only one hailed from a Latin American nation, and moreover, the position has never been held by a woman, they emphasized.

The high-level meeting highlighted the importance of coordinating joint CELAC interventions in multilateral forums on matters of common interest.

Members of the intergovernmental organization commended Honduras for its work during its term as Pro Tempore Presidency (PPT in Spanish) since 2024.

They highlighted, under the leadership of this Central American state, the convening of high-level meetings to share efforts and experiences in areas such as food security, women’s issues, education, coffee, energy, financial cooperation, climate change, and human mobility.

Additionally, they reaffirmed their willingness to continue political dialogue to deepen CELAC’s cooperation ties with other countries and regional blocs.

In this regard, they praised the progress achieved during meetings convened by the Honduran PPT on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

They welcomed Colombia as CELAC’s Pro Tempore Presidency (2025–2026) and endorsed its identified priorities for the mechanism’s work, including energy (energy transition and interconnection); human mobility; health and healthcare self-sufficiency; food security; environment and climate change.

Colombia’s pro tempore presidency will also focus on the situation of Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples; science, technology, and innovation; connectivity and infrastructure; strengthening trade and investment; transnational organized crime; education; gender equality, among other areas.

The leaders expressed strong support for the stability of Haiti and committed to decisively contribute, in accordance with each country’s capacities, to support its efforts, alongside the international community, to restore a human security environment for the normalization of the political, economic, and social situation, with a comprehensive development approach.

Prensa Latina

Caracas, April 9, 2025.– This Wednesday, Venezuela’s Minister of Science and Technology, Gabriela Jiménez, held a diplomatic meeting with ambassadors from the region, during which she called for the promotion of an innovative knowledge system for Latin America.

Speaking from the headquarters of the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC in Spanish) in Caracas, she affirmed that the knowledge and innovation system must be integrated into a permanent agenda on science and technology.

“There is an educational gap in the region when it comes to training professionals and engineers in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua have been working on security processes, and this must be extended throughout the region,” she stated.

She emphasized the need to develop a humanistic agenda in public services that contributes to the Latin American identity.

“This agenda must prioritize training processes and data protection platforms,” she said, while also affirming that Venezuela is prepared to activate scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate studies to enhance the capabilities of researchers, enabling high-impact studies that can in turn offer solutions to the issues that have affected national life in recent years.

The academic offerings span various fields of knowledge, including anthropology, physiology and biophysics, biochemistry, human reproductive biology, ecology, social studies of science, microbiology, mathematics, medical physics, among others.

The National Postgraduate Scholarship and Academic Strengthening Project is an initiative supported by President Nicolás Maduro Moros, aimed at promoting excellence and innovation within Venezuela’s scientific community.

The Minister stressed that new scientists must be trained before 2030. “Our region holds all the necessary opportunities. CELAC and ALBA must serve as tools to bring us closer together,” she concluded.

It is worth noting that Eulalia Tabares participated in the meeting as a representative of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP).