Stefan Petrov | September 23 Movement (Bulgaria)
First and foremost, I would like to extend our warmest greetings to the comrades participating in the international events in Istanbul organized against NATO’s policies and against yet another summit of this military-political alliance. These initiatives demonstrate that, despite the immense propaganda machine of the imperialists and their servants, there are forces that continue to consistently oppose imperialist aggression.
The main striking force of modern imperialism remains the United States and NATO, which in recent decades have repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to use military force, economic pressure, and political intervention to protect the interests of large capital.
Just recall the 1999 bombing of Yugoslavia, carried out without UN Security Council authorization. Under the pretext of protecting human rights, a sovereign state was destroyed, infrastructure, factories, hospitals, and homes were destroyed, and thousands of people lost their lives. This aggression remains in the minds of the peoples of the Balkans as one of the most striking manifestations of modern imperialism since the end of the Cold War.
A similar fate awaited Iraq. Following the military intervention, justified by claims of weapons of mass destruction that were never found, the country was thrown into long-lasting chaos. Hundreds of thousands died, millions were forced to flee their homes, and one of the most developed countries in the Middle East was turned into an arena of constant conflict.
Libya also became an example of the devastating consequences of imperialist intervention. The country, which had previously held leading positions in social indicators across Africa, was subjected to a NATO military operation, after which the state effectively collapsed, and the population was condemned to instability, poverty, and armed clashes.
For years, Syria has been subjected to external pressure, sanctions, and various forms of intervention. The most reactionary forces were organized and armed, just so that the regime in that country could be overthrown and Western corporations could get their hands on its resources.
After decades of provocations, sanctions, and terrorist attacks, on January 3, 2026, a brutal attack was carried out against Venezuela; dozens of people were killed, and the president and his wife were kidnapped.
In front of the whole world, the genocide against the Palestinian people continues. Their heroic resistance stands up against some of the most powerful forces in the world.
The economic blockade against Cuba has been in place for more than six decades. This policy causes serious damage to the country’s development and the daily lives of millions of Cubans.
In addition to sanctions and open military interventions, in recent decades imperialism has mastered the use of so-called “color revolutions” to overthrow inconvenient governments, which also represents a form of imperialist aggression. The most striking example of this is Ukraine, where the government was overthrown after a decade of Western funding of neo-Nazi organizations, which became a key instrument of the 2014 coup and led the country into a bloody civil war, and later into open war against Russia.
As the general crisis of capitalism intensifies, it is natural to expect new manifestations of imperialist aggression.
All these processes have not bypassed Bulgaria. Following the restoration of capitalism in 1989, our country became a raw materials appendage of Western corporations. Bulgaria was integrated into all structures of imperialism, which in recent years has been significant due to our country’s geographical position in the context of the planned full-scale war against the Russian Federation.
The Bulgarian people were never asked in any form whether they wanted the country to become a member of NATO. This decision was made by the political elite without any consultation with the people. As a result, Bulgaria was drawn into military-political structures and conflicts that do not serve the interests of the Bulgarian working people.
In recent years, we have witnessed the deployment of increasing amounts of military equipment and forces on the country’s territory. Regardless of official explanations, a significant part of the public views these processes as involving Bulgaria in global conflicts and as a limitation of national sovereignty. Dozens of U.S. military aircraft were stationed at our largest airport, and the airport itself even had to be closed for a period of 24 hours.
At the same time, we are witnessing a growing public discontent with the policies of the ruling circles. Protests against the introduction of the euro, dissatisfaction with Bulgaria’s participation in military initiatives, and growing criticism of NATO and the European Union indicate that significant processes of political rethinking are underway in society.
Fifteen years ago, the positions we advocated—that Bulgaria should leave NATO, that it should follow an independent foreign policy, and oppose American hegemony—were marginalized and largely absent from the public sphere. Today, such issues are already being discussed openly not only among activists but also in the media, public debates, and even in parliamentary circles. This shows that the tension existing in society over these issues can no longer be ignored.
For countries like Bulgaria, which have a dependent position in the international division of labor and are tied to external political and economic powers, the struggle for socialism inevitably includes an element of national liberation. The defense of national sovereignty, economic independence, and the people’s right to determine their own destiny becomes an integral part of the social struggle. People’s patriotism in no way contradicts proletarian internationalism.
To defend their conquests after 1989, however, the capitalists do not waste time or energy. In order to weaken the popular movement against Bulgaria’s participation in imperialist wars and for withdrawal from imperialist alliances, the ruling class turns to the most tested weapon for this purpose—fascism. This is supported by the processes of historical revisionism and the rehabilitation of reactionary political traditions from the past. A striking example is the events that took place on the 9th of May 2026, when young anti-fascists were attacked during the commemoration of Victory Day over Fascism. Among the victims were members of the “September 23” Movement. This attack is also a response to the intensifying activity and success of our organization in exposing imperialism and spreading communist ideas.
Such events, however, do not arise in a vacuum. They are the result of decades of a policy of rewriting historical memory, in which the anti-fascist struggle is devalued and specific aspects of the period before 1944 are presented in a positive light.
Following the restoration of capitalism, a significant portion of the political and intellectual elite has been striving to present the socialist period as a historical deviation and the capitalist transformation as a “return to normality.” This interpretation serves as a justification for the privatization, social polarization, and looting of public wealth carried out during the years of the so-called “transition to democracy.”
Today, capitalism is a global system. Therefore, a successful struggle against it must inevitably be the result of coordinated action by the peoples of the world. It is necessary to strengthen anti-imperialist forces, both locally and internationally. Imperialism must be defeated, and it will be defeated! NATO must be defeated and disbanded.
Only through organized resistance, international solidarity, and a consistent struggle against imperialism we can build a world of workers’ power, as a first step toward a society free from the exploitation of man by man.
Down with imperialism!
The people united will never be defeated!
Disband of NATO!
