Statement by a representative of the September 23 Movement at the international conference of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform in Caracas, Venezuela. October 22, 2025.
First of all, I would like to express my gratitude and joy for the opportunity to finally be in Venezuela. A country located very close to the United States—the main imperialist power of our time—but nevertheless standing up for the principles of its independence and social justice. We are aware of the difficulties and the high price Venezuela has been forced to pay for defending these principles – provocations, embargoes, coup attempts, black propaganda, etc. That is why I believe that this country deserves respect and international support for its cause.
In fact, the fate of all countries that in some way oppose imperialism, defend their independent development, and build a different socio-economic model is similar. At the same time, anti-imperialist movements and organizations in countries under imperialist rule are being persecuted and repressed because they are seeking a better future for their countries. This is precisely what makes it necessary to seek unity among anti-imperialist forces around the world at this historic moment, when a window of opportunity is opening for more nations to break away from the tyranny of the global oligarchy.
I cannot also not note some obvious similarities between the region I come from and the countries of Latin America. I am from Bulgaria, a country in the Balkans and Eastern Europe where, after decades of bloody struggle against the fascist government, the people won the right of socialist development after the end of World War II. Decades of rapid modernization and industrialization followed, and the people gained access to world-class education and healthcare. From a backward peasant country, Bulgaria transformed itself in about four decades into a modern industrial state with advanced science and technology, with a practically entirely literate population, and even capable of sending people into space. A strong economy and armed forces were built up, capable of defending the sovereignty of the People’s Republic.
However, after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the restoration of capitalism in Eastern Europe in 1989, most of these achievements were wiped out. Industry was privatized and destroyed. Cultural and educational institutions were dismantled. Privately funded non-governmental organizations took the place of the state in these areas. Cultural and moral decline set in. Anti-human fascist ideas began to be instilled among young people. A terrible demographic crisis is developing in the country, with the Bulgarian population declining from 9 million to about 6 million in about 30 years. Bulgaria was brought into the imperialist military alliance NATO and the European Union. US military bases were established on our territory. The country practically lost its independence and became a satellite of the most aggressive imperialist power. The fate of most former socialist countries in Eastern Europe is similar.
This is where I see the main similarity between the countries in our region and Latin America. Here, as there, the economic destruction, social disintegration, and exploitation of the people go hand in hand with imperialist oppression. And vice versa – the struggle for social justice and opportunities for the comprehensive development of the individual go hand in hand with the struggle against imperialism and the agents of international finance capital. For this struggle to be successful, it requires the unity of the peoples.
The comprador elite that has been in power in Bulgaria since 1989 is on the way to destroying the last remains of the country’s national sovereignty by preparing for entry into the eurozone on January 1, 2026. This will mean the final transfer of economic decisions on Bulgaria’s development into the hands of the imperialist European institutions and further impoverishment of the Bulgarian working class.
This goes hand in hand with preparations for Bulgaria’s involvement in a future full-scale war against the Russian Federation. The country’s military factories are working at full capacity. According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, one-third of all European military aid to Ukraine came from Bulgaria. Mrs. von der Leyen herself had the opportunity to hear the opinion of Bulgarians on this issue firsthand. During her visit to military factories in Bulgaria, she was met with large demonstrations. Protesters surrounded the military factories she was supposed to visit, forcing the European Commission President into the humiliating situation of having to be transported by helicopter to avoid meeting the discontented Bulgarians.
The attitude of the majority of Bulgarians is clear: No to war! No to monetary imperialism! No to the euro! The connection between the aggressive insistence that Bulgaria should join the eurozone at this particular moment and the upcoming war with the Russian Federation is now obvious to everyone. According to official statistics, Bulgarians are the people in the European Union who least support military aid to Ukraine. According to other official statistics, 60% of Bulgarians are against Bulgaria joining the eurozone.
Our country is ruled by an aggressive minority that hates the rest of the people and owes its dominance to the patronage of imperialist institutions. All the illusions of democracy, human rights, and people’s power with which people were fooled after the restoration of capitalism in 1989 turned out to be empty slogans. The countries of Eastern Europe have been turned into semi-colonies and raw material annexes for Western imperialism. Now they are being prepared as cannon fodder in the imperialist war against Russia that is being prepared. This destructive policy will inevitably give rise to more and more opponents of the current system and will push more and more people to seek a different path of development for their countries. This is precisely where the opportunity lies for the peoples of our region to break out of the shackles of oppression in which they found themselves 35 years ago.
In Europe, when it comes to the aggressive policy of the United States, people often talk about “American imperialism.” However, we know very well that this expression is inaccurate and that the government and oligarchic corporations of the United States cannot represent the entire continent. We know that besides the America of Wall Street and the CIA, there is another America, “Our” America (Nuestra América) — America of José Martí, Fidel Castro, and Che Guevara, America of Simón Bolívar and Hugo Chávez, America of the working people, the peasants, and the revolutionaries.
In the same way, we must remember that Europe does not belong to Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission, the European Union, and Brussels. Europe belongs to the peoples of Europe, with their struggles, problems, and dreams.
The peoples of the world are brothers and have similar interests at heart – to live free and independent, to develop their traditions and cultures, to build their future. The main obstacle to this is imperialism. Their main weapon is unity and internationalism. There is no contradiction between people’s patriotism and proletarian internationalism. On the contrary, for the peoples fighting against imperialism, they are inseparably linked and equally important for the successful conduct of the struggle. That is why today, more than ever, we must be guided by principles that will never lose their relevance in the era of imperialism:
Down with imperialism!
Workers of the world, unite!
Motherland or death!
We will win!
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