By Alejandra Garcia on March 13, 2026 from Caracas
The global political landscape is marked by intense debate over the intentions and methods of U.S. foreign policy, especially in the face of rising aggression with nations like Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran. Pawel Wargan, Political Coordinator of the Progressive International, offers a critical analysis of what he characterizes as a coherent and rational U.S. strategy aimed at undermining sovereign nations one at a time.
Contrary to narratives portraying U.S. policy as impulsive or erratic, “U.S. actions are grounded in a long‑term strategic logic”. He cites a policy framework articulated by the Marathon Institute, which suggests that while the United States cannot sustain a global war against multiple major adversaries simultaneously, it can effectively engage in a form of “strategic sequencing”, which translates into neutralizing opposing states one by one to prevent them from uniting against hegemony.
The exclusive statements of the activist comes two months after the unprecedented U.S. military attack on Venezuela on January 3rd, in which forces carried out airstrikes and a ground operation that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, who were taken into U.S. custody on criminal charges, a move that drew international condemnation as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty.
The U.S. action also triggered a severe oil blockade against Cuba, part of broader pressure aimed at isolating Havana’s economy and political system. Additionally, on February 28, the United States and Israel launched an unprovoked military assault on the Islamic Republic of Iran, further escalating tensions and drawing protests around the world.
In Wargan’s view, Venezuela has been used as an early model for this approach, with other countries like Cuba now facing a tightening of the blockade and Iran experiencing similar pressures. These actions, he contends, are not isolated incidents but components of a broader campaign to weaken and dismantle centers of sovereignty that assert independence from global power structures.
“The concept of sovereignty extends beyond mere political autonomy; it encompasses a people’s capacity to determine their own economic and social future. He points to Venezuela’s ongoing efforts in grassroots democracy and collective economic projects as examples of how a nation might resist external pressure. The Venezuelan experience illustrates the importance of unity and popular mobilization in defending national sovereignty,” he said during an interview in Caracas, Venezuela.
Real Dangers of Activism
The political coordinator shared a personal anecdote that underscores the risks faced by international solidarity activists. He recounted how a delegate from the Communist Party Marxist of Kenya, while on its way to participate in a peace demonstration, was kidnapped and detained by state forces, on fabricated charges connected to protests in support of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro. This highlights the broader challenges faced by movements resisting imperial pressures.
Beyond Venezuela, Wargan emphasized the need to build “bridges of peace”, fostering connections among peoples confronting similar forms of oppression and external intervention. He believes that understanding and solidarity across borders are essential to countering powerful geopolitical forces that, in his view, seek to maintain dominance through economic and military pressure.
“There are widespread feelings of disillusionment in parts of Europe and the global north, where many see few prospects for a hopeful future. Yet, experiences like those in Venezuela, where citizens participate directly in consultations and communal economic initiatives, can offer a powerful counter‑narrative of compromise and optimism,” the activist mentioned.
In the current global informational landscape, mainstream media narratives often obscure the struggles and perspectives of ordinary working people and movements resisting imperial influence. That is why Wargan urged those who witness alternative models of resistance to share these stories and mobilize support, not only for Venezuela but for any nation striving to maintain its sovereignty in the face of external pressure.
A Message of Hope
One of the most important takeaways from members of the Progressive International to Venezuela is the active engagement of citizens in direct participatory democracy, notably through the National Popular Consultation, where communities vote on locally proposed projects that receive state funding and are then self‑managed by the neighborhoods themselves. These consultations have involved millions of Venezuelans choosing from tens of thousands of proposals designed to address real local needs, from water and housing to infrastructure and health, demonstrating a form of grassroots decision‑making and communal economic participation.
Two months after the attack, this process reflects resilience, and an effort to deepen democratic involvement beyond traditional representative systems and to empower people to take part in shaping their own economy and social priorities. Despite misinformation campaigns, this example illustrates how ordinary working people are actively participating in political and economic decisions that affect their daily lives.
“Our job is to take what we’ve learned in Venezuela, the positive and hopeful message, and take it back to people who need that experience in their own struggles. And also to mobilize them in defense, not only of Venezuela, but all countries that are defending their sovereignty in the face of this increasingly angry and belligerent empire. There is hope.”
As geopolitical tensions evolve, voices like Wargan’s call for renewed focus on solidarity, democratic participation, and shared struggles against hegemonic agendas. “Supporting one another across borders and amplifying stories of grassroots struggle is the only way to resist and prevail,” he concluded.
Source: Resumen Latinoamericano