No Sanctions! Hands off Venezuela! No military intervention!
https://www.facebook.com/events/2454456454581640/
- FEB. 23
- 12 PM – 2 PM
- CBC Building, 700 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Join our action, hosted by the Venezuela Peace and Solidarity Committee of Vancouver, on Saturday, February 23: rally in front of the CBC at Georgia and Hamilton Streets at 12 noon.
No More Sanctions!
No military intervention!
Respect the democratic process!
Stop Trump’s Gold and Oil Grab!
International Solidarity!
Stop Trump’s War on Venezuela!
Stop Trudeau’s War on Venezuela!
HANDS OFF VENEZUELA!
The Venezuela Peace and Solidarity Committee of Vancouver is a collective of mass organizations committed to unity in action to defend the people of Venezuela and the Bolivarian Movement for change.
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Statement of the Venezuela Peace and Solidarity Committee of Vancouver:
The Venezuela Peace and Solidarity Committee of Vancouver represents solidarity for peace and social justice in Venezuela, Latin America and elsewhere. We do not support the illegitimate declaration of an interim president and all the states of the imperialist encirclement that are propping up the “ghost government.” It is a dark and menacing shadow looming over the region threatening war and oppression.
US military forces are gathering in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, poised for an invasion. Military bases encircle the Venezuelan land border. Cuba has broadcast a stern denunciation of this military activity and we echo it. Hands off Venezuela!
Supported by the majority of the working and oppressed people in Venezuela, the Bolivarian Party government of Venezuela, led by the legitimately elected President Maduro, has been offering peaceful remedies to de-escalate the political crisis and alleviate economic hardship. He is appealing to the UN to lift the boycott against Venezuela and release Venezuelan funds invested abroad. Also, he has been calling for a national election in Venezuela to address the leadership challenge. We support these initiatives in the name of peace and in considering the best interests of the Venezuelan people.
The inauguration of President Nicolás Maduro for a second six-year term in office took place on January 10, 2019, in the presence of international guests. He was re-elected in May 2018 with 67 percent of the vote in an election that was judged to be free and fair by independent observers. There was a 46% turnout at the polls despite a boycott by the main opposition right-wing parties.
One of the main causes of the economic trouble, aside from the fluctuating global oil prices, is the harsh sanctions imposed on Venezuela by many countries through a United Nations decision. Sanctions against legitimate, peaceful governments on political grounds are acts of aggression. Under similar sanctions, the Iranian people have been suffering from the massive reduction of its oil trade, and Venezuela has been experiencing a similar, drastic loss of oil trade revenue. Many imports have been cut off. The same forces who have instigated the cruel sanctions are complaining of the sharpening economic problems in Venezuela. They are making this the basis for their rejection of the elected government.
We call for an end to the sanctions! We oppose Canada’s participation in the sanctions and meddling in the affairs of Venezuela which are creating instability to the entire region. It is irresponsible and underhanded. Instead of promoting peace, the Canadian government is a factor for the war danger. We demand an end to foreign interference. We denounce the support for the illegal and reactionary stunt of propping up a puppet who is arbitrarily and falsely posing as a representative of the Venezuelan people. Far from caring about the welfare of the people, he has created instability and is threatening justice and peace.
The domestic and foreign political opponents of the Bolivarian government of Venezuela are trying to manufacture a so-called humanitarian crisis. No international humanitarian relief agency has made any appeal about Venezuela. Think of all the situations in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere where victims, concerned people and genuine humanitarian aid personnel have cried out for assistance for people in grave situations to no avail, when many states ignore them. Imperialist states led by the US and joined by others including Canada are supporting political opponents of the Maduro government so as to create a credibility crisis. To do so, they are deliberately spreading misinformation, stirring up political instability and blaming the real government for the economic hardships created by their sanctions.
Major private corporations and states that serve them are angry that the late Hugo Chavez and Maduro are leading social reforms. They are angry that profits are being sacrificed for the sake of the Venezuela people’s betterment and freedom. US imperialism cannot forgive Chávez and Maduro for nationalizing the oil industry that it greedily covets. Likewise, the local oligarchy cannot forgive Chávez and Maduro for using the oil profits to build schools, hospitals and clinics, low-cost housing and other progressive programs for the broad masses of the people.
The VPSC condemns the attempt by the US and the local reactionaries in Venezuela to overthrow the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and reverse its patriotic and progressive Bolivarian orientation. We extend our solidarity to the Venezuelan government and people and support their right to national self-determination and to chart their own independent course of development.
At this critical time, we urge people in Canada and beyond to organize and join actions to support the people of Venezuela as they struggle to build a fair and just society. We must rally against the imperialist threats and financial and economic sanctions meant to punish the Venezuelan people for daring to build a society that refuses to obey the dictates of Washington and company.
