Workers, retirees, and the labor movement will not take to the streets this Labor Day, warning of the risk of repression and the presence of armed men summoned by the Government. Photo: Provea
Guacamaya, April 28, 2025. The Coalición Sindical de Venezuela announced it will not call for the customary May Day mobilization on May 1. The decision responds to growing concerns over possible reprisals or episodes of violence and repression by Nicolás Maduro’s government.
The Coalition’s national secretary, Carlos Salazar, denounced that in recent days agents from the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN) have intensified pressure and threats against union leaders, even stationing patrols outside their homes at night. The organization also accuses the government of planning the mobilization of 5,000 armed PSUV militants on May 1.
“We will not expose workers to become victims of a regime that has said it has weapons for five thousand workers,” said a union leader who requested anonymity to Infobae. This statement refers to recent remarks by pro-government deputy Wills Rangel, who claimed there is weaponry available for thousands of militants who will take to the streets on Workers’ Day.
In January 2025, Nicolás Maduro activated the “combatant corps” during an event at the Miraflores Palace, mostly composed of employees from 31 public institutions, including the Executive Vice Presidency, PDVSA, ministries, and official associations, who were handed weapons such as German-made MPi-KMS-72 and MPi-KM-72 assault rifles, as well as Mosin Nagant 91/30 rifles.
In the words of the union leader, “silence can sometimes be louder,” and thus this May 1 will be commemorated without marches but with a firm denunciation of the loss of labor achievements and systematic repression against those demanding better living conditions. To this end, collective meetings and statements have been organized to highlight these demands.
The Maduro government has not issued official statements regarding the accusations of union repression, although it has previously denied any persecution and labeled some unions as politically motivated. Nonetheless, the cancellation of the march reflects the severity of the political climate and the growing difficulty in exercising the right to protest.
Information sourced from Infobae.
