Participants in an international conference on colonialism, neocolonialism and Western imperialism, which opened Thursday in Caracas, Venezuela, have condemned recent U.S. military activities in the Caribbean and called for unwavering respect for national sovereignty. Organized by the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry, the two-day gathering has brought together 137 scholars, diplomats and experts from 57 countries. Discussions have revolved around the legacy of colonial rule, contemporary manifestations of external domination, border and territorial disputes, international law and the impact of unilateral sanctions. Reflecting the prevailing sentiment at the conference, several speakers emphasized the urgent need to resist ongoing forms of foreign intervention and defend national sovereignty. "The United States is attempting to pursue colonial ambitions in the Middle East, and similar scenarios are unfolding in the Caribbean," said Fadi Alzaben, Palestinian ambassador to Venezuela. "When the war waged by Israel and the U.S. against Iran happened, we saw an unprecedented form of unity among the people. And I see the same thing happening in Venezuela. The Venezuelan people have shown that they want to defend their sovereignty, their country," said Satareh Sadeghi, assistant professor with Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran. David Denny, general secretary of the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration in Barbados, also voiced strong opposition to U.S. military maneuvers in the region. "We are totally against the actions of the United States of America in our waters. Because these actions not only threaten the people of Venezuela, it threatens people of the Caribbean," said Denny. On the first day of the conference, participants concentrated on the territorial disputes left in the wake of colonial powers and deliberated on the issue of colonial reparations. The event is scheduled to conclude on Friday with the issuance of a joint declaration. Tensions between Caracas and Washington have escalated in recent weeks. The United States has deployed several warships near Venezuelan waters, citing efforts to combat Latin American drug cartels. Last month, U.S. forces sank three boats in international waters south of the Caribbean, allegedly from Venezuela, killing 17 people. In response, Venezuela has carried out military drills to bolster defenses along the Caribbean coast and conducted a series of joint civilian-military exercises at home. Earlier this week, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro signed a decree on a "State of External Commotion," granting him additional security powers in the event of a foreign incursion. SHOTLIST: Caracas, Venezuela - Oct 2, 2025 1. International conference on colonialism, neocolonialism, Western imperialism in progress; 2. Various of Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil (L), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad of Niger Bakary Yaou Sangare (R) at meeting; 3. SOUDNBITE (Spanish) Fadi Alzaben, Ambassador of Palestine to Venezuela "The United States is attempting to pursue colonial ambitions in the Middle East, and similar scenarios are unfolding in the Caribbean."; 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Satareh Sadeghi, assistant professor, Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran: "When the war waged by Israel and the U.S. against Iran happened, we saw an unprecedented form of unity among the people. And I see the same thing happening in Venezuela. The Venezuelan people have shown that they want to defend their sovereignty, their country."; 5. Bakary Yaou Sangare speaking; 6. Attendees; 7. SOUNDBITE (English) David Denny, general secretary, Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration (CMPI) in Barbados: "We are totally against the actions of the United States of America in our waters. Because these actions not only threaten the people of Venezuela, it threatens people of the Caribbean."; 8. Meeting information; 9. Various of security guards outside meeting venue. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]