BRITAIN’S Young Communist League on Thursday slammed attacks against the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) by the country’s government.

Ahead of their congress this weekend, the YCL condemned the bid by “elements close to the Unified Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) to usurp the legal control” of the country’s communist party from its elected leadership.

In a statement, the YCL said that while those attacking the PCV have been presented as an internal faction within the party, “we must recognise the role of the PSUV in orchestrating the situation.”

The YCL said: “In response to a gradual retreat from socialist politics by the Maduro government, the XVI Congress of the PCV collectively resolved to oppose the economic and social reforms put in place by the PSUV.”

It claimed: “This opposition comes only from a desire to strengthen the power of the Venezuelan working class, which is being undermined by the Maduro government.”

The YCL said the latest manoeuvres come after a series of “dubious press conferences and assemblies organised by elements close to the PSUV leadership,” and were designed “to prepare the ground for a takeover of the party, transforming it into a subordinate of the PSUV.” 

The YCL said that it firmly denounces any attacks on communists in Venezuela. 

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has denounced the PCV as “agents of imperialism” for their attacks on the government when the country suffers from crippling US sanctions.