2026/2/27
On Monday, February 23 (a national holiday), the Kyoto University of Foreign Studies (KUFS) Research Center for Latin-American Studies held an emergency symposium.
Under the common theme of "Issues and Lessons Regarding Little-known Realities in Venezuela," six specialists on Latin American and the Global South gave presentations on the following topics, focusing on the January 3, 2026 US bombing of Venezuela and detainment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro:
"Sanctions and Sovereignty: The Multifaceted US Encirclement of Venezuela and Latin America"
Yasuhiro Tokoro (Professor, Meiji University)
"People of the Comuna"
Akiko Okabe (Professor, The University of Tokyo)
"A Japanese Perspective on the Venezuelan President's Kidnapping"
Keiichi Yamazaki (Professor, Yokohama National University Graduate School)
"The Realities of Venezuela through Video"
Shoichi Ota (President, Fuji International Travel Service, Ltd.)
"Struggles to Maintain Prosperity and Peace in South America: A Brazilian Perspective"
Ikunori Sumida (Honorary Professor, KUFS)
"Venezuela from the Perspective of American—Latin American International Relations History: A Focus on Solidarity and Noninterference"
Takashi Ushijima (Professor, KUFS)
Presentations were followed by discussions and a Q&A session. A lively discussion ensued, involving many participants from outside the university, including some from faraway places such as Tokyo.
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