Al-Zaidi became a symbol of resistance against the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2008, when his act of protest revealed the anger and pain caused by the attacks on his people. Today, he says Venezuela is experiencing something similar.
He traveled to Caracas to participate in the event Voices of the New World. In an interview with BdF, al-Zaidi said he fears for Venezuela’s future, particularly given the escalation of the U.S. offensive in the southern Caribbean.
“Venezuela suffers today what we went through starting in 1990. The U.S. blockaded Iraq to extract our oil and prohibited us from buying anything. Venezuela faces a similar situation now, with the threat of a powerful military action. I am afraid for Venezuela’s future and that things may get worse, because the U.S. never steps back before imposing its power on the world and showing its dominance, especially when sovereignty is at stake,” he said.
Despite different cultures and political contexts, al-Zaidi believes the two countries share a common enemy, which brings together not only Venezuela and Iraq but all nations of the Global South resisting “U.S. imperialism.”
For him, people’s unity is essential to building alternatives to U.S. aggression.
“We have the same enemy, we suffer under imperialism’s power and from the absence of joint action between our peoples and our politics. We need to find ways out of these challenges, and that requires collective organization and coordination among different groups and organizations,” he said.
This was al-Zaidi’s second trip to Venezuela in ten years. Although he has no political ties to the Chavista government, the journalist stressed the importance of showing solidarity and supporting Venezuelans amid heightened U.S. pressure on Caracas.
Throwing his shoe at Bush
Al-Zaidi also recalled the moment that marked the history of U.S.-Iraq relations. During the invasion of Baghdad, Bush gave a speech about U.S. interests in the occupation and the “invitation” he supposedly received to visit Iraq.
The Iraqi journalist was present at that press conference. At that moment, he hurled his shoe at the U.S. president. He was arrested and later said the symbolic act of defiance against the White House led to the hardest period of his life.
“The episode itself was miserable. I did it against the occupation and Bush’s lies. When he said Iraq had invited him, I wanted to show he was the liar and that the Iraqi people were against the occupation. That’s why I did it. For us, it was an act of protest,” he said.
Excerpts from the exclusive interview with BdF
BdF: On your trip to Venezuela, what did you observe about the relationship between the two countries? Do you see similarities between Venezuela and Iraq?
Al-Zaidi: My visit aimed to express solidarity with Venezuelans. We found many common points between the two countries. We were occupied by the U.S. in 2003 and lost more than one million people in that war. I don’t see a war in Latin America at the moment. The U.S. will use violence, and we will see how it plays out. That is why I think showing support now is crucial.
The Voices of the New World event proposed dialogue among communicators from across the globe to confront what the Global South defines as U.S. imperialism. How important is this right now?
It is interesting to note that I saw more nationalism among Venezuelans than among Brazilians. Even though I love Brazil and have a good relationship with the country, mainly through football. But the importance of having skilled communicators with political intention is essential for journalism, especially against imperialism.
Having such spaces for exchange is vital to take a stand amid imperialist aggression. The unity of journalists and communicators from Latin America, Asia, and Europe is important to build strategies against imperialism and to present alternatives to U.S. attacks.
Speaking specifically about Venezuela, do you see a parallel with what Iraq suffered under the U.S.?
Now Venezuela faces what we endured in 1990. The U.S. blockaded Iraq to secure oil and barred us from exporting anything, we could not sell on international markets. This is similar to Venezuela’s current situation. I fear for Venezuela’s future and that things may worsen, because the U.S. never steps back before imposing its power globally and showing its dominance.
Cuba, since the beginning of its revolution, has been plundered by the U.S. This small, poor country, known for its revolution, still suffers from the blockade imposed by John F. Kennedy. More than 60 years later, it has not been lifted. That is insane. Iraq endured 13 years under such conditions, losing half a million children without missiles or armed groups among them. The blockade prevented access to medicine and basic goods. Venezuela is on the same path, because it stood up against imperialism and U.S. intervention.
What were the consequences of the U.S. invasion? How is Iraq today?
The invasion continues to impact Iraq’s economy, politics, and security. It destroyed the country and our society. It devastated everything. After the invasion, no neighborhood could forget, because we face water shortages and other structural problems. Our industries collapsed in 2003. We now only produce oil. Even food production was destroyed. That damage will last through the century.
We import everything: from Turkey, Russia, China, Iran… even fruit. Iraq has fertile land, but the country must be rebuilt from scratch.
And what about the internal challenges left by the U.S., particularly in politics?
Politics today is dominated by 20 parties that emerged after 2003 under U.S. influence, and now practice systemic corruption. They built militias that control ministries. All ministerial decisions result from deals between these parties and militias. Even the Ministry of Education is run this way, with contracts funneled back to these groups.
This created a complex set of challenges. We fought against the U.S., against ISIS, against corruption, and against parties backed by neighbors such as Iran, which supports corrupt groups and claims it cannot act differently. This is insane.
It is important to speak openly about Iran’s role. They oppose the U.S. while at the same time supporting U.S. allies inside Iraq. They sustain corrupt factions seeking control of Iraq. This leaves the situation deeply complicated. We fight against all of this, but where is our humanity?
The U.S. wants to control our decisions. When our parliament votes on a law, their ambition is to dictate public policy, and for that they must control the votes.
This leaves me deeply saddened, not only for my people in Iraq, but also for Venezuela, Gaza, and even for the poor in the United States.
What role does the UN play today in resolving global conflicts, including Venezuela?
The UN’s role is in U.S. hands, that is the power of imperialism. We are weakened, and relying on the organization is very difficult. We don’t have a United Nations; we have a United States that dominates the UN and lies to the world. It is the United States’ Organization. For example, the UN tells Iraq what it needs but denies citizens transit visas to travel abroad. The UN’s role is lamentable.
Have you ever visited the U.S.?
I have never been to the United States. I refused to go. They invited me three times, and I declined.
And about the moment you threw your shoe at Bush, what happened afterward?
That situation was very difficult. I spent three months in solitary confinement, then six more months in another prison. It was the worst period of my life. I had a few lawyers, but I spent nine months in jail and completed my sentence.
The episode itself was miserable. I did it against the occupation and Bush’s lies when he said Iraq had invited him. I wanted to show he was lying, and that Iraqis opposed the occupation. That’s why I did it. For us, it was an act of defiance.
