Vietnam’s victory on April 30, 1975 is considered as a contemporary epic and tremendous encouragement for Latin America, including Ecuador, since the triumph affirmed the right to national self-determination in establishing its political system and pursuing socio-economic and cultural development based on national sovereignty, according to Juan Meriguet Martínez, member Ecuador’s Citizens Revolution Central Committee.
In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of Vietnam’s 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification, Martínez stressed that April 30 remains one of the most memorable days for national liberation and anti-colonialism movements globally, marking a crucial milestone in human history while concluding the longest war of the 20th century.
One of the decisive factors in the victory was the Vietnamese people’s spirit of solidarity, he said, stating the core quality, handed down from generations to generations, not only brought victory in patriotic wars but also helped Vietnam rise from the ashes of war to obtain today’s robust development.
Recalling his youth, he shared that from the 1960s to 1970s, Ecuadorians of all ages kept a close watch on news from Vietnam through community gatherings as well as lessons at schools. During this period, every march, rally, art performance, and even strikes became opportunities for Ecuadorian political forces and masses to ignite solidarity with Vietnam, he said.
Furthermore, President Ho Chi Minh’s writings and ideology became an integral part of the formation, development and guiding principles of revolutionary movements in Ecuador and Latin America as a whole, creating a worldwide front supporting Vietnam.
Regarding his personal connection with Vietnam, he revealed his family’s special bond with the Southeast Asian nation. His father, Raymond Meriguet, a French-born revolutionary, was influenced by the ideas of Indochinese revolutionaries in the early 20th century, including Nguyen Ai Quoc – President Ho Chi Minh, particularly his denunciation of colonialism at the 1920 Tours Congress of the French Socialist Party in Paris.
Bringing these progressive revolutionary ideas to Ecuador, Raymond Meriguet spread important concepts of global revolution to Latin America, including examples from anti-colonialism movements across Africa, Oceania, and Asia, highlighting President Ho Chi Minh’s role in national liberation movements worldwide.
Meanwhile, his mother Nela Martínez, former president of the national committee of solidarity with Vietnam, consistently raised her voice alongside Ecuadorian intellectuals to initiate solidarity activities with Vietnam, raising public awareness of the Vietnamese people’s righteous struggle while denouncing the savage war crimes committed by invading forces.
He said he always bears in mind the images of campaigns supporting Vietnam, with Ecuadorians sending ships loaded with rice to the country amid intense warfare and naval blockades, and university students leading a 150-km march expressing solidarity with the Vietnamese people’s resistance.
Additionally, Martínez's home, like many others in Ecuador, preserved and honoured Vietnamese values, including photographs and books about President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, and other Vietnamese writers and intellectuals. His home in Quito has kept letters exchanged between Martínez's parents and international friends, highlighting their sentiments and tireless efforts to end the war and bring peace to the Vietnamese people./.
