Build the anti-imperialist movement and advance the working class struggle!: PCB

Image via the PCB

Build the anti-imperialist movement and advance the working class struggle!

The Central Committee of the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB) assesses that the imperialist system, the more it intensifies its decline, the more it abuses violence and aggressiveness. What we are witnessing are not isolated incidents, but part of a global offensive by a decaying system that, through increased aggression and attacks, attempts to maintain its hegemony over the peoples. After the invasion of Venezuela and the ongoing escalation against nations that do not submit to Washington's orders, the United States, in alliance with Israel, attacked Iran while they were in negotiations.

Trump and his Zionist ally bet on a swift capitulation, imagining the same scenario that occurred in Venezuela, but they were surprised by Iran's brave resistance, which managed to hit all United States military bases in the Middle East, in addition to causing severe damage inside Israel, demoralizing the so-called "Iron Dome," an air defense system that was unable to stop the Iranian missiles, practically shattering the myth of invincibility of U.S. imperialism and Israel.

While saluting the resistance of the Iranian people and armed forces, the PCB vehemently denounces and repudiates this war of aggression. Iran demonstrated bravery through its enormous capacity to wage an asymmetric war, involving a harsh military response, coupled with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a fact that has gained enormous political and economic dimensions worldwide. The Iranian people and their armed forces have shown that organized resistance can face the greatest military powers.

Even in the face of Trump's habitual bravado, threatening to destroy Iranian civilization, the destructive power of U.S. imperialism and Zionism cannot be underestimated. These two forces remain brutal, violent, and destructive. But the firmness with which Iran has behaved becomes an example for all peoples of the world because it has shown that the United States and the Israeli government are not invincible, while their actions have contributed to the international isolation of these two belligerent nations.

As of yet, the outcome of the war in the Middle East cannot be predicted because imperialism in decay behaves like a wounded animal and, therefore, becomes even more dangerous. The recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon, resulting even in the death of members of a Brazilian family (to whom we express our full solidarity), demonstrate Zionism's intention to extend the conflict to the entire region, aiming to expand its domains with U.S. support. Thus, the war's developments remain uncertain, but a potential imperialist and Zionist defeat in the region, combined with NATO's defeat in Ukraine, could influence a shift in the global correlation of forces, opening space for the emergence of peoples who resist imperialist attacks.

Faced with these difficulties, U.S. imperialism must concentrate its forces to reinforce domination over Latin America, seeking to apply its national security doctrine. It is no coincidence that threats of military intervention in Cuba intensify and pressure grows across the region, particularly because the Trump administration is interfering in the elections of several countries. One cannot forget that Brazil, due to its economic and political size and its immense natural resources, is on the radar of U.S. imperialism, despite many being deceived by an alleged chemistry between Trump and Lula.

It is worth remembering that history teaches us that imperialism has no friends, only interests. Part of the offensive against our country can be seen in the pressures to end PIX, in the criticisms of potential regulation of big techs, and now with the negotiation of strategic resources, through the acquisition by a U.S. company of the sole Brazilian firm operating rare earths. This is a true looting of natural resources, carried out with the complicity of concessionist sectors and the government's omission.

Therefore, the anti-imperialist struggle in Brazil is increasingly on the agenda, because this offensive will intensify as the United States loses ground in other parts of the world. However, it is crucial to understand that the anti-imperialist struggle must be carried out by placing the workers' agenda front and center, because no movement of this magnitude can be victorious if it does not incorporate the demands of the working class into this process.

The greed of the United States towards Brazil cannot be underestimated because imperialism has a strong social base in the country, whose main expression is Bolsonarism, which is present both in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, in various state governments, within the Armed Forces, among urban middle layers, and even in sectors of the proletariat. Such groups will become more active with this year's elections, especially if there is any external interference.

One must also not forget that Bolsonarism is the expression of the most reactionary sectors of the ruling classes and represents a concrete threat to workers and the Brazilian people, because it is part of a project that bets on the destruction of social rights, hate politics, racism, machismo and misogyny, LGBTphobia, all forms of oppression, irrationalism, and attacks on democratic freedoms. Furthermore, Bolsonarism is the main defender of United States interests and functions as a fifth column in our country.

Therefore, our struggle must be waged on two fronts: on one hand, permanently combating Bolsonarism and the far-right both in this electoral process and in all daily struggles and institutions, given the danger it represents for Brazil and the working class. History shows that authoritarian projects can only be defeated by popular mobilization in the streets, in workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, and universities. The far-right only retreats in the face of the organized strength of the masses.

On the other hand, it is also important to denounce the current government's policy of class conciliation. Although Lula defeated Bolsonarism electorally, which rid us of the now-imprisoned genocidal man, the government carries out a policy within the limits of the interests of large economic groups and agribusiness, maintains the neoliberal macroeconomic tripod, and fails to fulfill the promise to repeal the labor reform and review the pension reform. It implements a policy of social compensation that does not alter the structure of exploitation and also serves as a showcase to justify social-liberalism.

There is strong popular dissatisfaction with urban violence, inequalities, the super-exploitation of labor, the precariousness of public services, the lack of housing, and family indebtedness (accentuated by the spread of betting platforms), a situation that, generally speaking, ends up weighing more against the Lula government than against the owners of capital. Furthermore, the PT's pressure to prevent left-wing candidates in the first round, to force exclusive support for Lula, could backfire, since the right will launch several candidates and will unanimously fire their batteries at the government.

It is in this context that the PCB presents the pre-candidacy of comrade Edmilson Costa. A pre-candidacy that does not bow to dominant interests, that does not remain silent before the powerful, and that will qualify the debate, placing on the agenda a set of issues that other candidates do not want or cannot address due to their class identities and political alliances, such as the fight against imperialism, the defense of national and popular sovereignty, the repeal of counter-reforms, the restoration of workers' purchasing power, and the need for profound social transformations.

We also propose profound structural transformations in the political system, the economy, social and labor relations, health and education, and international relations, as a way to foster political debate aimed at building popular power and socialism in our country. This pre-candidacy is not merely electoral, but an instrument of struggle, a trench to raise consciousness, organize the people, and build a real alternative for power. It is a pre-candidacy that will place politics in command because we believe the population is tired of this system that only privileges the rich and powerful. The time has come to return Brazil to its true owner: the Brazilian people.

All solidarity to Cuba, Venezuela, Palestine, Iran, and to all peoples who fight against imperialism!

Get imperialism out of Latin America and Brazil!

Central Committee of the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB)