Socorro Gomes: Strengthening the support for the struggle of the Venezuelan people against interference

Sunday, January 27, 2019

The forces of peace and democracy, constantly mobilized in support of the Venezuelan people’s struggle in defense of their sovereignty, are again strongly repudiating the offensive against the legitimately elected government of President Nicolás Maduro. Evidencing its eagerness to take interference in Venezuela to ultimate consequences, Donald Trump's government on Wednesday, 23rd of January, declared it recognizes the opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, who has no popular mandate, as the country’s acting president, which was seconded by allied governments.

Such an outrageous step is an attack on the most essential norms of international relations prized by all the truly democratic forces dedicated to building a world of peace and cooperation. It should be largely rejected not only by popular entities, but also by institutions that cherish democracy and the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations.

The World Peace Council defends the sovereignty of nations and mutual respect as pillars of constructive relations between nations. Therefore, it repudiates, in the strongest terms, this outrageous announcement of the US government, also indicated by the countries that adhered to the arrogant statement issued on behalf of the Lima Group two weeks ago, saying it did not recognize the legitimacy of the Maduro government, whose mandate was renewed by popular vote. Most of the governments of such a group, as we said then, suffer from the complete lack of competence to claim themselves promoters of democracy. This is the case, among others, of the governments of Colombia and Brazil, who also declared to recognize Guaidó as president.

The coup attempts in Venezuela are incessant and the resistance has been brave, an example for the peoples committed to the defense of their nations’ sovereign course. Solving the crisis in the country and correcting courses is entirely up to the Venezuelan people, in a dialogue already called for by the government among those who sincerely seek a democratic solution.

The governments of Hugo Chávez and, from the outset, that of President Maduro, backed by the Venezuelan people and patriotic forces, have bravely faced those attempts. Such resistance also sheds light on the continuity of US imperialism's policy of interference, which does anything to maintain its dominion over Latin America, trampling over international law and the democracy it claims to defend.

Therefore, we urge the strengthening of international mobilization in support of the Venezuelan people’s struggle in defense of their sovereignty and democracy, of the legitimacy guaranteed only by the popular vote to lead the country's course, in a frank and sovereign dialogue with the democratic opposition, facing the coup plotters who have been supported by US imperialism and reactionary forces in the region.

For the end of the imperialist offensive and the coup attempts!
For sovereignty and peace in Venezuela!

Socorro Gomes,
President of the World Peace Council
January 23, 2019