Kingston, Jamaica, October 13, 2017
PRESS STATEMENT
WE DENOUNCE LUIS ALMAGRO’S LATEST UNLAWFUL INTERVENTION IN THE AFFAIRS OF VENEZUELA
Friends of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela denounce the actions of the Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Luis Almagro, who, today — the 13th of October 2017 – in Washington DC in the United States of America (USA), purported to swear in the members of a so-called “parallel” Venezuelan Supreme Court, in gross violation of the principles of international law and sovereignty.
Almagro’s actions are nothing less than a gross and offensive attempt to frustrate the Venezuelan people’s peaceful and democratic process !
On the 30th of July 2017 we were all inspired by the Venezuelan people’s courage, when over 8 million people participated in the elections for a National Constituent Assembly, and thereby halted the campaign of orchestrated violence that sectors of the political Opposition forces in Venezuela had inflicted on the nation.
The peace-loving peoples of the world looked on at this spectacle, inspired by the Venezuelan people’s assertion that the only path forward is a democratic and constitutional one.
Today’s unlawful events in Washington, on the other hand, are an ugly and repugnant repudiation of the Venezuelan people’s openly expressed desire for peace and constitutionality, and reflect illicit interference by external forces in the sovereign processes of Venezuela.
While this takes place in Washington D.C., in Venezuela itself, members of the Government, the Opposition and other relevant entities campaign for gubernatorial elections that will take place this Sunday the 15th of October. Furthermore, after many efforts by the Government to establish dialogue, the Venezuelan political opposition has finally agreed to begin talks in a peaceful and lawful manner. In light of this background, one is forced to ask why– at this time of all times– is Almagro carrying out an activity that can only be described as an illegal and destructive intervention in the internal affairs of Venezuela?
How can a multilateral organization like the OAS justify swearing in an illegitimate Supreme Court in the territory of a foreign country? This is a travesty beyond all comprehension, and the member states of the OAS would be well advised to take immediate steps to dismiss the organization’s unprincipled and errant Secretary General.
Today’s actions at the OAS disrupt Latin America and the Caribbean’s shared commitment to self-determination and to the sovereign equality of all states, and must be condemned by all right thinking and peace-loving people.
We encourage all Venezuelans to go out and vote in numbers in the gubernatorial elections scheduled for Sunday the 15th of October!
Indeed, we say to the Venezuelan people:- The world celebrates your determination to defend a democratic model that is participatory and protagonist. And we stand with you in safeguarding our region as a Zone for Peace, in keeping with the “Havana Declaration” approved by the Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
Long live the Bolivarian Republic and the Bolivarian Revolution!
By the Friends of Venezuela:
David Comissiong. Caribbean Chapter, International Network In Defense of Humanity
Cikiah Thomas. Global Afrikan Congress
Christophe Simpson. Left Alliance for National Democracy and Socialism
Bobby Clarke. Clement Payne Movement of Barbados
Trevor Brown. Jamaican Cuban Friendship Association
Pablo Works. Jamaican Peace Council-JPC
Hope Mc Nish.Jamaican Peace Council
David Denny. Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration
Trevor Prescod. Israel Lovell Foundation of Barbados
Gerald Perreira. Organization for the Victory of the People (Guyana)
Khafra Kambon. Caribbean Pan-African Network
David Abdulah. Movement for Social Justice (Trinidad & Tobago)
Adisa “Aja” Andwele. Cultural artiste of Barbados
Ayo Moore. Caribbean Chapter, Network In Defense of Humanity
Thelma Gill-Barnett. Clement Payne Movement of Barbados
John Hunte. Israel Lovell Foundation
James Early. Institute for Policy Studies (USA)
ChenziRa Kahina. Caribbean Pan-African Network
Francisco Perez. Citizen of Venezuela
Everton “Heru” Holligan. Khemit Konnections (Barbados)
Felipe Noguera. Pan-African Federalist Movement
(more names and signatures follow on)
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.