(VOVworld) – A range of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of Venezuela’s guerrillas’ campaign to rescue young Vietnamese patriot Nguyen Van Troi during Vietnam’s resistance war against American imperialists took place in Venezuela on October 7 and 9. The activities included photo exhibits, a documentary film screening, musical performances, and poetry recitals. The Nguyen Van Troi campaign was an important event in the Venezuelan people’s armed fight against imperial intervention in the 60s and also a milestone in the country’s relationship with Vietnam.

Nguyen Van Troi before his execution

On October 9, 1964, Venezuelan guerrillas abducted US lieutenant colonel Michael Smolen to exchange for Nguyen Van Troi, who was sentenced to death by the US and the Saigon government for laying a mine on the Cong Ly Bridge to kill US Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. However, three days after the Caracas guerrillas released Smolen on October 12, the US and the Saigon government killed Troi.