Together against a new wave of imperialism

1. The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) stands firmly for democracy, peace, social justice, and respect for international law. In recent developments, actions undertaken by the United States government — especially under President Donald Trump’s administration — pose serious threats to these principles. A renewed pattern of military intervention, interference in sovereign states, and assertions of power unconstrained by international law represents a dangerous resurgence of imperialist geopolitics. We, therefore, condemn these actions and call for a global response rooted in solidarity, respect for sovereignty, and protection of democratic rights.
2. The Attack on Venezuela and Regional Implications
3. In January 2026, armed U.S. forces carried out a military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro and subsequent assertions by U.S. leadership that they would “run” the country and manage its resources. This intervention occurred with no mandate from the United Nations Security Council and raises profound questions regarding respect for the sovereignty of nations and adherence to international law.
4. Such actions have far-reaching implications for the broader South American region. Instead of diplomatic engagement or regional conflict prevention, the rhetoric coming from Washington includes threats directed at Colombia, Cuba, and other nations, echoing a revived doctrine of hemispheric control reminiscent of the historical Monroe Doctrine.
5. The Case of Greenland and Challenges to Sovereignty
6. Simultaneously, discussions at the highest U.S. political levels have centered on asserting control over Greenland — an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. The language used in these discussions hints at territorial acquisition or influence that bypasses consent and ignores self-determination. Greenlandic political leaders have forcefully rejected these suggestions, affirming their right to autonomy and rejecting any form of forced incorporation into the United States.
7. These statements and strategic postures — including public declarations that international law need not apply or that it should be redefined at the discretion of the powerful — cannot be separated from the broader pattern of U.S. policy. When global powers abandon commitment to international mechanisms and respect for sovereign rights, they undermine the very foundations of global cooperation, collective security, and peaceful coexistence.
8. Erosion of International Law and Multilateral Norms
9. Statements from U.S. leadership dismissing international law as an obstacle rather than a constraint to be respected signal a broader retreat from the post-World War II international order. In recent interviews, assurances that “international law depends on interpretation” or that personal moral judgment can supersede codified norms are deeply troubling. This rhetoric risks legitimizing the selective application of violence and the violation of sovereignty under the guise of national interest.
10. The collapse of respect for international law jeopardizes not only the rights of smaller or less powerful nations but undermines global mechanisms designed to prevent conflict, safeguard human rights, and regulate interstate conduct.
11. Together we must defend sovereignty, peace, and democratic rights!
12. IUSY rejects imperialism in all its forms. Imperialism — by which powerful states exert coercive influence, military force, or economic dominance over others — is dramatically opposed to our principles of democratic self-determination, social justice, and peace. A world in which powerful nations act with impunity erodes trust among states, emboldens authoritarian models, and normalizes the violation of international norms that are essential for peace and equality.
13. As we are confronted with contemporary expressions of imperial dominance, it is essential to reaffirm our commitment to international law as the binding foundation of relations between states, rather than treating it as a flexible instrument of power politics. This necessarily includes an unwavering respect for the sovereignty and self-determination of all peoples, regardless of their geopolitical or economic weight. It also requires a clear rejection of militaristic interventions that serve strategic or economic interests at the expense of human rights, social stability, and democratic development. Finally, we insist on multilateral approaches to conflict resolution, rooted in diplomacy and international institutions, instead of unilateral coercive actions that undermine peace and collective security.
14. In this context, we also call on European member organizations and governments to critically review the depth and nature of their close political and military cooperation with the United States, particularly within the framework of NATO. While this motion does not call for an immediate withdrawal from existing alliances, recent developments demand a serious and honest reassessment of whether such proximity remains adequate and defensible in light of growing unilateralism, violations of international law, and open threats against sovereign states. An uncritical alignment with an increasingly interventionist U.S. foreign policy risks entangling European states in actions that contradict their own commitments to multilateralism, democratic accountability, civilian conflict resolution, and peace. European cooperation must be guided by principles and international law — not by power blocs or geopolitical loyalty.

Followingly, IUSY demands reaffirms:

15. Its Clear Stand Against the U.S. Assault on Venezuela
16. We condemn any military intervention in Venezuela that lacks international legal backing. We call on IUSY affiliates to oppose rhetoric that frames regime change or resource control as acceptable tools of foreign policy.
17. Support for South American Sovereignty and Regional Stability
18. We call for solidarity with South American nations threatened by external military or political pressure. IUSY should support regional initiatives that strengthen democratic institutions, social welfare, and peaceful cooperation across the continent.
19. Solidarity with Greenland’s Right to Self-Determination
20. We reject any attempt – implicit or explicit – to coerce Greenland or any territory into political subjugation. The right of peoples to determine their own political status must be upheld, free from intimidation or external pressure.
21. Defense of International Law and Multilateralism
22. We demand that powerful states recommit to international law, including UN charters, treaties, and collective mechanisms designed to restrain the use of force. Rediscovery of genuine multilateralism is essential to prevent the resurgence of imperial dynamics in global politics.
23. Focus on Peace, Social Progress, and Democratic Governance
24. Finally, IUSY advocates for policies that prioritize peace over militarization, social justice over resource exploitation, and democracy over domination – both domestically and internationally.
25. The current geopolitical trajectory, marked by unilateral military actions, open threats against sovereign states, and the deliberate disregard for international law, represents a dangerous escalation of imperial power politics. When the most powerful states act without restraint or accountability, they normalize domination, undermine democratic self-determination, and increase the risk of global instability and war.
26. IUSY stands unequivocally with all peoples resisting imperial intervention, political coercion, and militarization. We affirm the right of societies to determine their own political, economic, and social paths free from external pressure, sanctions, or force. Peace and democracy cannot be imposed by military means, nor can global security be achieved through domination and fear.