(By Ernesto Cooke) – With the theme “Hands Off Venezuela” the Venezuelan embassy here in St Vincent hosted a press conference on Thursday 7th March 2019.
At the media conference (6) national groups under the rubric (SOLIDARITY) made public their support for the South American nation which is currently facing economic hardships due to sanctions initiated by Washington.
The US does not recognize President Maduro who was reelected for a second term and have thrown their support behind self-proclaimed President Juan Guaido.
The groups include, Cuba Solidarity, National Council Of Women, The National Drum Movement, Unity Youths, Venezuelan Vincentian Friendship Association, and the Windward Island Farmers Association.
You can read the solidarity document below.
SOLIDARITY!
We, the undersigned citizens and members of Vincentian organizations and movements, historically in solidarity with the heroic people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela with whom we are ancestrally connected, meeting on February 15th, 2019, at the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, to discuss the unfolding situation, have agreed that, given the years of working together in support of the Venezuelan people, a higher level of coordination is necessary, and, accordingly, have established a unified body named “SOLIDARITY!”
We further agreed that, while the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is currently the focal point of our solidarity in light of the capitalist aggression against that nation, we stand steadfast with all PEOPLES-IN-STRUGGLE for a better, more egalitarian world.
We also stand committed in our support of our members in their programmes and activities, fully respecting their rights.
We sign on to the following rights of nations, internationally accepted and observed over decades:
(i)the right to self-determination and sovereignty.
(ii)the right to be free from interference and intervention in their internal affairs.
(iii)the right to a life of peace and dignity for their people.
(iv)the right to control and defend their natural resources.
(v) the right to choose their system of governance and their path of
development.
We, against the backdrop of these rights, roundly condemn the illegal immoral, callous sanctions imposed on the legitimate government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and its people by world capitalism, led by the USA, which are choking the Venezuelan economy, thereby causing extensive pain to its people, especially the working class. Some estimates put these sanctions at nearly US $40 billion.
In addition, is the brazen imperialist attempt to steal the financial assets of the heroic people of Bolivar and Chavez.
We further condemn the arrogant US threat of military intervention, convinced that such an intervention will inflict massive suffering on the people, not only of Venezuela but also of Latin America, in a Vietnam-type quagmire.
In stark contrast to the bellicosity of the world, capitalism is the call of the Venezuelan government and people for peace, democracy, and dialogue.
We, signatories to this document, unequivocally join the “HANDS OFF VENEZUELA!” international solidarity campaign. We understand our role is the lifting of consciousness of Vincentians through public education using varied means: lectures, seminars, films/videos, social media, newspaper articles, radio/tv, programmes, pamphlets, concerts, and rallies.
We will, in essence, be engaged in a truth-campaign. In this, we call on the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, all of whom have greatly benefitted from the internationalist spirit and generosity of the Venezuelan government and people, to join in this undertaking.
1.Cuba Solidarity – Mike Browne
2.National Council of Women – Beverly Richards
3.The National Drum Movement – Victor Byron
- Unity Youths – Kezron Walters
- Venezuelan Vincentian Friendship Association – Laura Stephens
- Windward Island Farmers Association – Kozel Fraser
Thursday, March 7th, 2019.
