INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN — In an interview with the khamenei.ir published on Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro praised the Leader of the Islamic
Revolution, noting that meeting Ayatollah Khamenei “filled him with spirituality and wisdom.”Maduro also revealed for the first time
that he met martyr Major General Qassem Soleimani in Caracas in 2019. The following is the full text of the interview:In your recent
meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated that Iran and Venezuela have a very close relationship
What is your opinion about this important statement by Ayatollah Khamenei?Since Commander Hugo Chavez’s first visit in 2001, Iran and
Venezuela have established exemplary political, diplomatic, moral, and spiritual ties
During this current trip, I’ve witnessed how there is an exemplary relationship between us in terms of our increasing cooperation
So Ayatollah Khamenei is right when he states that the relationship between the two countries is quite unique and extraordinary.In your
meeting with the Leader, you said, “The Zionist regime is continuously conspiring against Venezuela through its Mossad.” Could you give
us a little more information about these conspiracies?Yes
Unfortunately, imperialism and Zionism are conspiring against the progressive, revolutionary processes taking place in Latin America and the
Caribbean, especially the Bolivarian Revolution
This is because we are a true alternative, an alternative of truth and justice, an alternative of freedom, an alternative of democracy, and
an alternative for realizing projects that are fully humane in the Latin American region and the Caribbean Sea
In addition to this, Mossad’s conspiracies are due to our strong position of solidarity with the Palestinian people and our support of
them for their regaining their historical rights and for the Palestinian Resistance
Our support of them is strong and unique, and we will continue supporting them in this manner.What role have General Soleimani and the Quds
Force played over the last 20 years in strengthening the relationship between Iran and Venezuela?I met General Soleimani in March and April
He came to Venezuela during the time when we were suffering from cyber-attacks against our power plants
These attacks were launched from the United States
I didn’t know how amazing he was, but the discussion I had with him was very pleasant
We reviewed everything during our meeting and he immediately suggested we get help from Iranian experts
Two or three days later, Iranian experts came to repair electrical services in Venezuela.Ayatollah Khamenei believes, “If Jesus Christ
(PBUH) were among us today, he wouldn’t miss a moment to fight the leaders of global oppression and arrogance.” What is your opinion
about this? If Jesus Christ were among us, what would have he done?We’re believing Christians
We’re the type of Christians who take action while praying and thinking
And Christ came into this world to fight the Empires
He came to confront the Roman Empires
He sacrificed his life to fight the Roman Empire
If there’s one good thing I can say about Christianity, it is its anti-imperialist nature and its seeking of truth and justice against the
I have no doubt that if Christ were among us today, he would have been at the forefront of the battle against imperialism, colonialism and
all forms of oppression.During your presidency, you have met with Ayatollah Khamenei several times
Please tell us about any things we may not have heard about from these meetings and also from the meeting between Mr
Chavez and Ayatollah Khamenei.I’ve always admired Ayatollah Khamenei’s excellent memory
That he recalls the memories of those days is important
In the talks that I have had with him, he has recalled some of the conversations he had with Commander Chavez where Commander Chavez shared
some of his memories about Cuba and Commander Fidel Castro
There was a time when a hurricane was heading straight toward Cuba
It was a Category 5 hurricane
A conversation took place between Fidel and Chavez
Fidel said, “Chavez! What you need to do right now is to pray
Pray for us!” Chavez started praying
That day passed and the hurricane changed its course
It didn’t cross over Cuba
Chavez called Fidel and said, “It’s a miracle!” Fidel replied, “Yes, it’s because God helps Chavez and Chavez’s friends.” In
the last talk that I had with Ayatollah Khamenei, he told me this story in a friendly, kind way in memory of Commander Chavez and Commander
Holding a conversation with Ayatollah Khamenei truly fills one with spirituality and wisdom
He likes the Venezuelan people
He likes the people’s ideals, and he always offers us great ideas and recommendations.What is your definition of the Axis of Resistance
and which countries do you think it includes?The Axis of Resistance exists throughout the world
It exists in Africa, in Asia, in the Middle East, in Latin America and in the Caribbean
The Resistance also belongs to the people who are fighting against neoliberalism, racism and various forms of colonization, political,
economic, cultural colonization and cyber colonization
Cyber colonization is something that is now on the rise by way of the social media
Cyber and cultural colonization… All of us who fight against colonialism, all of us who fight to decolonize our minds and our people, are
part of the Axis of Resistance that stands against the methods of the imperialists for imposing a hegemony on the world
The 21st century is our century
It is the century of the unity of the people
It is the century in which people will be liberated
It is the century of justice and truth
Empires are in decline, and people’s projects for well-being, development and greatness have just begun
This century is our century.
