As the United States supports what it says are efforts to reintroduce democracy in Venezuela, the Chicago Teachers Union has emerged as a strong opponent to American intervention in the country.
In its efforts to resist the replacement of former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, the CTU partnered with far-left groups to stage protests, with some of its members being deeply involved in the demonstrations. Just hours after U.S. forces captured Maduro, the CTU called on its members to march through the streets alongside the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Students for Justice in Palestine, the Palestinian Youth Movement, and the ANSWER Coalition in opposition to the operation.
While the union’s call to protest was well-publicized, other aspects of its resistance have attracted far less attention, particularly its affiliation with and infiltration by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.
The FRSO describes itself as a “national organization of revolutionaries fighting for socialism” that is “building towards the creation of a new Communist Party based on Marxism-Leninism.”
In addition to its open advocacy for communism and public support for the Maduro regime, the FRSO has also maintained ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. The two organizations, for instance, regularly address one another in friendly terms. To commemorate the 51st anniversary of the PFLP’s founding, the FRSO wrote the terrorist organization a message to convey “fraternal greetings, and our hopes that your future is marked by success upon success.”
“A militant and longstanding friendship exists between our two organizations, and we will continue our work to support the liberation of every inch of Palestine – from the river to the sea,” the message reads.
The PFLP, in turn, has sent friendly greetings back to the FRSO.
“As the relationship between our organization and yours grows stronger, we would like to congratulate you for your revolutionary work, and wish you a very successful Congress,” the terrorist organization’s message said. “The challenge of upholding Marxist-Leninist principles in the main imperialist country of the world is a difficult one. But FRSO has done so admirably, and the PFLP is proud to have you as partners in the worldwide M-L movement for socialist revolution.”
The PFLP has ordered suicide bombings, hijacked planes, and fired rockets at civilians in its attempts to defeat Israel. Despite this, the FRSO argues that labeling the group as terrorists is unfair and has demanded the release of its leaders from prison.
The FRSO has explicitly bragged about its infiltration of the CTU.
In a 2023 pamphlet published by the leftist group, it bragged about leveraging “concentrations of FRSO comrades” within the CTU in order to develop “an independent base in the multi-national working class.” While the identities of these individuals are largely unknown, some have been vocal about their affiliation online. In the same pamphlet, the FRSO claims to have a “strategic alliance” with the CTU.
Kobi Guillory is a CTU member who sits on the union’s executive board while moonlighting as a member of the Central Committee of the FRSO. Guillory was one of the organizers behind the “emergency” protest that the CTU rallied its members to join in the aftermath of U.S. forces capturing Maduro.
Investigations conducted by the North American Values Institute have found that Guillory led elementary school students in chanting the words of convicted state trooper killer and black nationalist Assata Shakur, posts quotes from Shakur in his classroom, and spoke at a convention hosted by an organization that has faced federal investigations for alleged support for Hamas. He’s also written for TRT World, a Turkish state-controlled media outlet.
Frank Chapman, another leading figure within the FRSO, lacks a formal affiliation with the CTU but maintains ties to the union nonetheless. The Caucus of Rank and File Educators — a group within the CTU co-founded by the union’s current president — recently sponsored a party to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his release from prison. Chapman has also engaged in social justice organizing with members of the CTU.
NEW YORK CITY UNIONS HAVE HISTORY OF SUPPORTING MADURO REGIME
Chicago is far from the only city where teachers are voicing their support for the Maduro regime and associating with radical organizations.
In Texas, for instance, American Federation of Teachers organizer and educator Stu Becker gave a speech at a pro-Maduro rally where he called for the deposed dictator to be freed and for President Donald Trump to be jailed. Becker’s rhetoric matched that of the Communist Party USA, an organization with which he is affiliated.
The CTU did not respond to a request for comment.