Since the middle of the summer, the Trump administration has been dramatically escalating its campaign against the South American country of Venezuela and its president, Nicolas Maduro. On Dec. 10, U.S. forces, including the Coast Guard, F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Security, seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast.
Comments on the Russia/Ukraine Peace Plan
Phil Wilayto, editor of The Virginia Defender, was asked by a reporter for the Russian news agencies Sputnik and RIA Novosti to comment on the peace plan being proposed by the Trump administration to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. These are the comments that were submitted.
Sudan, the Silent Victim: A brief overview
Sudan, a country of some 50 million people located south of Egypt, is facing a serious humanitarian crisis as the 2023 civil war drags on.
Antiwar message raised at homeport of U.S. ships threatening Venezuela
NORFOLK, VA, Nov. 22 — Of all the protests taking place around the world against escalating U.S. aggression against Venezuela, probably none are more significant than the one held today outside the Norfolk Naval Station in Norfolk, Va., homeport for many of the Navy ships now stationed in the Caribbean.
An Open Letter to Norfolk Sailors
An open letter from the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality to sailors stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.
Mali, Niger & Burkina Faso
Between 2022 and 2024, three West African nations, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, finally broke military and economic ties with their former colonial power, France. They now work with their neighbors to address security concerns on their borders and northern areas.
International solidarity with Cuba
The Defenders attended the 2025 International U.S.-Cuba Normalization Conference held March 15–16 in New York City.
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