Because of their shared fight against [neo]imperialism, the people of Nicaragua have an intuitive understanding of the Palestinian struggle and the necessary means to achieve national liberation. Just as the Zionist project worked — and still works — at the behest of U.S. capital, so did the brutal dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza, trampling on the dignity of Nicaraguans through the use of the U.S.-created Guardia Nacional.

After a series of striking blows at the Somoza régime, the people’s insurrection against [neo]imperialism was solidified through guerilla tactics when Managua was liberated on July 19, 1979, by the Sandinista National Liberation Front.

On the 45th anniversary of the victorious revolution, Khaled spoke alongside Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and other international anti-imperialist figures. In her speech on the evening of July 19, Khaled spoke about the Palestinian struggle as one waged against Zionism, fascism and Nazism. She also mentioned the essential rôle women hold in the revolution as the preservers of life. We see this truth in the Sandinista revolution, as women made up 30% of the guerrilla fighters.

We honor Leila Khaled by learning from her life-long dedication to liberation. We call on folks to escalate their sacrifice and struggle for liberation, to dedicate themselves to study and political education and to observe the Thawabit (“fundamental principles,” often referred to as “Palestine’s red lines”).