Mônica Valente led the discussions while the arrest of Maria Corina Machado by the Venezuelan government was reported
Foro de São Paulo, a group that brings together left-wing parties from Latin America, held the World International Anti-Fascist Festival in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday (9 January 2025). The event occurred while the media, opposition leader, had been arrested by the Venezuelan government.
The executive secretary of the São Paulo Forum, PT member Mônica Valente, member of the party’s National Directory, led the discussions. “The work of 2025 has begun! Meeting of the working group, debating the problems of our continent and seeking actions to strengthen our forces in this space of struggle and resistance”he said, in a message posted by Foro de São Paulo on X (formerly Twitter).
We are already at the International Antifascist World Festival, in Caracas, for the meeting of the Working Group of the São Paulo Forum. Always in coordination with the progressive and leftist forces of Latin America. We will win!
— Foro de São Paulo (@ForodeSaoPaulo)
Nicolás Maduro’s party, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, is one of the most influential in the São Paulo Forum, alongside the PT, the Communist Party of Cuba and the Sandinista National Liberation Front of Nicaragua.
Nicolás Maduro’s PT in the Venezuelan elections in 2024, despite criticism made by the president (PT). At the time, the party wrote that “PT salutes the Venezuelan people for the electoral process that took place on Sunday, July 28, 2024, in a peaceful, democratic and sovereign journey. We are sure that the National Electoral Council, which indicated the victory of President Nicolás Maduro, will treat all resources it receives respectfully, within the deadlines and under the terms provided for in the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”.
In addition to Mônica Valente, the PT sent 3 other people to the São Paulo Forum event and Maduro’s inauguration. Camila Moreno and Vera Lúcia Barbosa, members of the party’s national executive were present alongside Valter Pomar, director of international cooperation at the Perseu Abramo Foundation.
Brazil’s ambassador in Caracas, Gilvânia Maria de Oliveira, is expected to represent the Brazilian government at Maduro’s inauguration. Lula Maduro as re-elected president, but he also did not recognize Edmundo González, from the opposition, as the winner.
Shortly after the results of Venezuela’s presidential election, Brazil, the United States and countries in Latin America and Europe pressured Maduro to release the electoral records that would prove the current president’s victory. Maduro, however, did not respond to the requests.
The inauguration of Nicolas Maduro (10.Jan.2025). The 62-year-old Chavista leader has governed the country since 2013. It is his 3rd 6-year term. According to the CNE (National Electoral Council), Maduro had 51.2% of the votes. Opponents, however, claim that Manuel González had 67% of the votes at the polls.
