On Saturday 4 August an attempt on the life of President Maduro was made while he was delivering an address to the national guard and civilians on Bolívar Avenue, on the 81st Anniversary of the establishment of the Bolivarian National Guard of Venezuela. Two drones carrying explosives were reportedly shot down near the podium, prompting an evacuation of the President and assembled soldiers.

Two hours later President Maduro addressed the attack in a televised broadcast, saying “I have no doubt that everything points to the Venezuelan ultra-right in alliance with the Colombian extreme right, and the name of [Colombian President] Juan Manuel Santos is behind this attack.”

A far-right terrorist group called the “Flannel Soldiers” has claimed responsibility for the attack, a small group apparently linked with several contras who stole a helicopter in June 2017, using it to fire handguns and drop grenades on government buildings in Caracas before escaping. The leader of this gang, Oscar Perez, was killed by Venezuelan security forces in January in a counter-terrorism operation.

As the class struggle in Venezuela intensifies, and the imperialist world brings to bear all forces short of military intervention (although this is an increasingly discussed option by US imperialists), many people and organisations are more reluctant to support the revolutionary process in Venezuela. Conditions in Venezuela are certainly deteriorating, with economic sanctions, sabotage, intensification of imperialist propaganda, and counter-revolutionary violence reaching new depths.

Every time the Venezuelan people reaffirm their commitment to independence and socialism these attacks increase, an inevitability when facing off against US imperialism, backed by the imperialist nations of Europe. In order to truly secure a free and prosperous Venezuela, instead of one impoverised by the US and comprador elements, the revolution must intensify, kicking out all counter-revolutionary forces and with workers taking the organisation of production, supply, and defence into their own hands. This process is currently happening, with the assistance of the PSUV, and must be supported by every genuine progressive and socialist organisation.

CPGB-ML and Red Youth sent the following statement of solidarity to the Venezuelan Embassy: