CARACAS—A significant commemoration took place in Caracas as the Vietnamese Embassy and the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) marked the 60th anniversary of the Nguyen Van Troi campaign and the death of the Vietnamese heroic martyr. The event celebrated the historic 1964 campaign, which saw Venezuelan guerillas abduct US Lieutenant Colonel Michael Smolen in a bid to secure the release of Nguyen Van Troi, a young Vietnamese patriot facing execution.
According to Vietnam News Agency, the meeting highlighted the enduring impact of Troi’s actions and the solidarity between Venezuela and Vietnam during a pivotal moment in history. Events included the presentation of a book, the screening of a documentary, and the inauguration of a statue at Graciela Navas inter-level school, commemorating Troi’s legacy and the shared history of resistance against imperialism.
The campaign to free Troi was initiated by Venezuela’s Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN) and remains a symbol of the broader struggle against oppression. The kidnapping in Caracas was aimed at negotiating the release of Troi, who had been condemned for an assassination attempt on then US Secretary of Defence Robert McNamara by the US and its allies. The remembrance activities underscored a profound chapter in the histories of both nations, reflecting on their mutual aspirations for sovereignty and justice.