On November 10, the World Anti-Imperialist Youth Platform (Youth Platform) held a meeting with youth and students of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM).
The Mexican youth and students expressed strong support for the proposal to form a Defense Brigade for Venezuela, which was raised at the 9th International Anti-Imperialist Conference of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform (Platform). One student emphasized, “The organization of the Defense Brigade is truly important. In the current situation, the anti-imperialist struggle is essential.”
A student majoring in Latin American Studies stated, “Since the pandemic, political discourse among young students has disappeared. I believe this is not only a problem in Mexico but a global one. We must overcome this through solidarity struggles with Venezuela, such as the Defense Brigade, and through the broader anti-imperialist struggle.”
Another student pointed out, “We live in an ocean of information. It is all the more important to know the right information and act upon it—especially regarding Venezuela. Our collective action is necessary.”
A student who studied Political Economy stressed, “The Defense Brigade is indeed important. However, this is not only an issue for Venezuela, but for the entire world, including Gaza. We must understand global affairs collectively, and our struggles must be connected not just within one country, but across the world.”
Students from other regions who could not attend the meeting in person sent messages expressing their solidarity with the Defense Brigades.
The student organization of Michoacán’s Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo stated in a written message, “Mexico has always stood with humanity against persecution and violence,” and “We express our solidarity in defense of the Bolivarian Revolution.” The organization also announced its intention to join the Meixican University Students’ Anti-imperialist Platform, a national coordination of university students across Mexico.
A student from Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí declared, “The aggression against Venezuela reveals the crisis of imperialism, which sustains itself through war, plunder, and domination over Latin America” and “We will stand with our comrades in Mexico City and with universities across the country to begin the struggle to defend the people of Bolívar.”
The Youth Platform stressed, “We are now living under the conditions of World War 3. In late 2024, the imperialist powers extremely provoked a war in the ‘Republic of Korea,’ including the drone attack on Pyongyang. Today, they are driving the crisis of war toward Venezuela. Even if war does not break out there, the danger will not disappear. Youth and students must organize Defense Brigades and resist the imperialist war schemes.”
It further emphasized, “During the Spanish Civil War and World War 2,(?) many internationalist fighters from Mexico joined the International Brigades. The youth and students of Mexico must carry on the history of David Alfaro Siqueiros, who left a historic mural at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.”
A lively Q&A session followed. Students raised numerous questions not only about political or propaganda activities within Mexico, but also about more active and practical forms of struggle.
