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March 21, 2015
Opposition to U.S. Aggression Against
Venezuela
Worldwide Support for Bolivarian Venezuela
Ottawa
Demonstration
in
Solidarity
with
Venezuela:
Venezuela Is Not a Threat!
Thursday,
March
26
--
4:30
-
5:30
pm
In Front of U.S. Embassy, Mackenzie side
For
information: Facebook
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Actions continue around the world to express support for
the people of
Venezuela and their Bolivarian Revolution, in opposition to the
shameless
threats of the U.S. imperialists.
 The U.S. declaration that
Venezuela, which unlike the U.S. has never
invaded or aggressed another country, constitutes a threat to U.S.
national
security, is utterly baseless. Far from it, since the empowerment of
the broad
masses of Venezuelans since the election of Hugo Chávez in 1998,
Venezuela
has been a force for peace in the region that has not only ensured the
well-being of its own people, but the peoples of the region through
various
relations of mutual benefit.
The U.S. imperialists consider themselves the centre of
the universe and
that their imperialist and monopoly interests and values are universal,
and thus
should be accepted by the people of the world for their own good. Thus
Venezuela, or any other country, that sets its own course outside the
U.S.
imperialist agenda, is a threat to its aim of hegemony and world
domination.
It is on this spurious basis that Venezuela and other countries that
oppose U.S.
imperialism are attacked for bogus human rights violations.
TML calls on everyone to support the Venezuelan
people and
the Bolivarian Revolution and oppose any attempt for U.S. intervention
in
Venezuela, and Canada's participation in such nefarious activity in the
service
of U.S. imperialism.
People's Unity at Mass Anti-Imperialist Rally:
"The Country's First
Major Victory over Imperialist Aggression"
President Nicolás
Maduro, addressing a mass anti-imperialist rally in Caracas on March 15
said
that the unity of the Venezuelan people is the first major victory
against the
aggression of US imperialism.
"The great unity of the people is the first victory; the
support of the
governments and peoples of the world is a great victory for the defence
of our
peace, our sovereignty," said Maduro at Miraflores Palace, where he
received
a massive march in support of the Anti-Imperialist Enabling Act
passed that day in the National Assembly.
 Maduro noted that six days
after the U.S. issued its latest assault on
Venezuela with U.S. President Barack Obama signing an executive decree
declaring the South American country an "unusual and extraordinary
threat,"
Venezuela has built a national and global movement of solidarity
popular
support.
"We are going to reap moral, political and diplomatic
victories; this mass
mobilization of the people is the first," he said, adding that while
the U.S. has
the power of its monopoly media, its dollar and military, it would
never have
the kind of power that the Venezuelan people have.
Referring to the broad support from the peoples of the
region, Maduro
pointed out that at a time when Venezuela is experiencing a new
onslaught of
U.S. imperialism, the fraternal peoples of Latin America have raised
their
voices in support of the homeland of Bolívar.
During his speech, the President emphasized the
importance and
significance of the March 14 statement of Union of South American
Nations
(UNASUR), that calls on Barack Obama to immediately repeal the decree
that
designates Venezuela as an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S.
national
security. The statement expressed UNASUR's willingness to accompany
"the
broader political dialogue with all Venezuelan democratic forces, with
full
respect for the constitutional order, human rights and the rule of law."
Despite this aggression from the U.S. against the
region, President Maduro
reiterated that he is willing to meet with his U.S. counterpart Barack
Obama,
"[w]herever, whatever and whenever you are ready to talk [...] with
respect,
equality, without arrogance, without arrogance."
He said that the chargé d'affaires of Venezuela
in the U.S., Maximilian
Arvelaez, would be traveling on March 16 to the U.S. capital,
Washington, to
meet all levels of the State Department and to reject the decree.
Maduro added that the government has been repeatedly
issuing the call for
dialogue to opposition forces.
Likewise, the President called on the peoples, social
movements and
political world to step up demonstrations to bring truth and demand
President
Obama repeal the interventionist decree.
"I am calling to all popular movements, all movements of
solidarity, all the
fraternal peoples of the world, especially in Latin America and the
Caribbean,
patriots, democratic, progressive and revolutionary leaders, on behalf
of the
people of Venezuela, to keep the demonstrations going, to bring out the
truth
and the demand to the world that President Barack Obama repeal the
decree
threatening Venezuela. [...]," he said. He acknowledged the many places
where
mass demonstrations were held in the last week, noting in particular
Argentina,
Spain, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Brazil, United States,
Germany
China, Russia, Cuba and India.
Maduro also launched the campaign to get 10 million
Venezuelans, one
third of the population, so sign a petition to President Obama against
his
anti-Venezuela executive decree.
Mass Mobilizations in Canada Send Firm Message:
"Canadians
Support Venezuela's Sovereignty and the Bolivarian Revolution"
Ottawa
On
March 15, activists from Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and southern Ontario
rallied in Ottawa to express the support for the Venezuelan people and
their
Bolivarian Revolution, and their opposition to U.S. aggression against
Venezuela. Some 350 people from all walks of life participated as part
of a
worldwide day of action to defend Venezuela against U.S. imperialist
aggression.
 The action started at the
Embassy of Venezuela in Canada. Members of
Latin American Solidarity groups and community organizations from
Montreal,
Toronto and Ottawa presented the Venezuelan Ambassador, His Excellency
Mr. Wilmer Omar Barrientos Fernandez, with statements of solidarity and
petitions in support of the struggle of the Venezuelan people and the
government of President Nicolas Maduro against the hostile actions of
U.S.
President Barack Obama. Speakers at the rally denounced the illegal
sanctions
of the Obama administration which are a direct interference in the
internal
affairs of Venezuela and are an attack on the right of the Venezuelan
people
to self-determination.
After speeches at the Venezuelan Embassy, expressing
full solidarity with
the democratically elected government of Nicolas Maduro, the
demonstration
proceeded to the U.S. embassy to denounce the U.S. attack against
Venezuela's sovereignty and then moved to Parliament Hill. The streets
of
Ottawa around the U.S. embassy and in the Byward Market rang out with
slogans denouncing the illegal sanctions against Venezuela. People
repeatedly
shouted, "Hands Off Venezuela!"; "Yankee Go Home!"; and "Respect the
Sovereignty of Venezuela."
Edmonton
Also as part of the day of action, the Memoria Viva
Society of Edmonton,
which serves the Latin American diaspora in Edmonton, organized a rally
at
City Hall at 12:00 noon, "to demonstrate in favor of Venezuela's
sovereignty
and right to self-determination."
Vancouver
Residents of Vancouver held a mass action on the steps
of the Art Gallery
also on March 15.
Toronto
Supporters of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela held
a spirited rally
in front of the Venezuelan consulate in Toronto on March 19 to denounce
the
threats and sanctions recently issued by U.S. President Obama against
the
Venezuelan people.
Slogans condemning U.S. interference in Venezuela, such
as "Hands Off
Venezuela!"; "Respect Venezuela!"; "Sovereignty, Yes! Intervention,
No!" and
"Venezuela, Yes! Yankees, No!" rang out. Voices were raised to reject
the
false accusation of the U.S. with the chant "Maduro, amigo, el pueblo
está
contigo!" (Maduro, our friend, the people are with you!) and to support
the
measures of the Maduro government to defend Venezuela's sovereignty.
Julian Ichim, speaking for the Hugo Chávez
People's Defense Front, stated
that it is the U.S. that poses a threat to Venezuela, as shown by the
recent
coup attempt backed by the U.S. government and the failed coup
organized by
the U.S. in 2002 against the late President Chávez.
Morteza Gorgzadeh, of the Toronto Forum on Cuba,
deplored particularly
the role allegedly played in the recent coup attempt by a member of the
RCMP
attached
to the Canadian embassy in Caracas, as revealed by President of the
Venezuelan National Assembly Diosdado Cabello on February 13.
Extraordinary UNASUR Summit in Quito
On March 14, the Union of
South American Nations (UNASUR) held an extraordinary meeting in Quito,
Ecuador, to discuss U.S. sanctions against Venezuela and its claim that
Venezuela is a threat to U.S. national security. UNASUR's Secretary
General
Ernesto Samper began the meeting by explaining that the bloc's aim is
to
preserve peace and democracy in Latin America.
UNASUR issued a statement in which it denounced U.S.
aggression
against Venezuela. "We call upon the United States to evaluate and
implement
dialogue as an alternative," it said. UNASUR pointed out that it is
Obama's
executive order that poses a threat to Venezuela's sovereignty. UNASUR
also
said the actions by the United States amount to an interventionist
threat to the
principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other
countries.
UNASUR reiterated its call to the U.S. government to evaluate its
unacceptable stand and put in practice alternatives for dialogue with
the
government of Venezuela.
Sao Paolo Forum Calls for Anti-Imperialist Summit
On
March 16 the Sao Paulo Forum, which gathers Latin American political
parties, joined the broad condemnation of the executive order issued by
President Barack Obama considering Venezuela an unusual and
extraordinary
threat against U.S. national security and foreign policy.
"We state that if there is a threat against the national
security and the sovereignty of Latin America, the Caribbean and all
the countries in the world, it is the imperialist aggression carried
out by the United States seeking desperately to maintain its declining
hegemony and the control over strategic resources in the planet," said
the Working Group of the Sao Paulo Forum, following a meeting in Mexico
City.
The group called for an anti-imperialist summit of Latin
American popular
organizations and movements in Managua, Nicaragua, on March 20 and 21,
2015.
It also called for a "Worldwide Day of Solidarity with
Venezuela and
condemnation to US intervention" on April 19 with the slogan "Peoples
of the
World United for Venezuela."
The Working Group called an extraordinary and extended
meeting on
April 13 in Caracas to express their support for President Nicolas
Maduro and
the Venezuelan people.
The Group also told parliamentarians at the Sao Paulo
Forum to denounce
the U.S. aggression against Venezuela, not only at national parliaments
but also
at the Latin American Parliament, the Central American Parliament, the
MERCOSUR Parliament, the Andean Parliament and the Euro-Latin American
Parliament.
Support at St. Lucia Forum
Friends and supporters of
Venezuela gathered in Castries, St. Lucia to show support for Venezuela
and
urge the U.S. to adhere to international law for a landmark solidarity
event on
March 15.
Brazil's representative at the gathering said other
countries are paying
close attention to developments in U.S.-Venezuela relations. "We know
that
Venezuela is a very prestigious country in St. Lucia and of course,
what
happens in Venezuela interests St. Lucia and if it interests St. Lucia
it also
interests the embassies of other countries here," said Ambassador
Sergio Couri
adding there should be "respect for principles that help us live
together in
peace and mutual respect."
The event included students, scholars and Latin American
nationals
resident in St. Lucia.
The Venezuelan representatives thanked those in
attendance for supporting
the government of Nicolas Maduro and for firmly denouncing the US
sanctions.
Cuba Holds Solidarity Concert
Thousands of Cubans
gathered at the University of Havana's Grand Stairway on March 15 to
express
their unconditional solidarity with Venezuela and opposition to U.S.
aggression.
The evening concert began with the two countries'
national anthems, the
Venezuelan one heard in the voice of Commandante Hugo Chávez,
via a
recording made during the final days of his 2012 election campaign.
In the name of Cuba's youth, Yosvany Montano, President
of the
Federation of University Students (FEU) welcomed the crowd to the event
saying that Cuba's youth sing for peace and self-determination for the
peoples
of Our America; that at a time when the Bolivarian Revolution is
attacked,
Cuba's youth reaffirm their unconditional support for the Venezuelan
people
and government.
Speaking for the Cuban Five, all in attendance,
René González Sehwerert
recalled that this past December 17, when the anti-terrorists
imprisoned in the
United States for over 16 years were freed, the world awoke to a more
just
world with the U.S. empire recognizing that it could not defeat a
people such
as Cuba's. Despite the celebrations which followed the announcement of
talks
to reestablish diplomatic relations, he emphasized that, as Che said,
imperialism can never, never be trusted, not even a bit.
Also attending were Mercedes
López Acea, First Secretary of the
Communist Party in Havana and member of the Political Bureau;
José Ramón
Balaguer, from the Party secretariat; Roberto Montesinos from the
Central
Committee; Presidential advisor Abel Prieto; and Minister of Culture
Julián
González; in addition to representatives from several diplomatic
missions in
Havana.
 
Nicaragua Bestows Highest Honour on Venezuela's
President
On March 13, the government of Nicaragua bestowed its
highest honour on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This was
an act of
profound solidarity from the government of Daniel Ortega and the FSLN,
which itself through great hardship prevailed over U.S. imperialism and
its
dirty wars in Latin American and the Caribbean.
First Lady Rosario Murillo read out Presidential Decree
49-2015, signed by President Ortega, bestowing on President Maduro the
Augusto C. Sandino Gold Medal of the highest order. Decree 49-2015
acknowledges the indisputable merits of the brave people of Venezuela,
embodied in their President Nicolás Maduro, she added.
"We are one in battle, we are one in the fight for more
victories, we are
one because we want to move forward, as we say here in Nicaragua, in
Faith,
Family and Community to achieve, as Chávez said, a full, good
and beautiful
life, the life that all of Our America wants and deserves," said
Murillo.
"We proclaim Presidential Decree No. 49-2015 as proud
Sandinista people.
This is a proud and joyous occasion, especially the ratification of our
brotherhood," said Murillo.
Extraordinary Summit of Bolivarian Alliance for the
Peoples of Our America Takes Unequivocal Stand
The 11-country Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of
Our America
(ALBA) met on March 17 in Caracas, Venezulea to discuss U.S. aggression
toward Venezuela. Presidents and foreign ministers of the ALBA
countries
analyzed U.S. President Barack Obama's latest executive order against
Venezuela and issued a joint statement in the face of Obama's
determination
to declare Venezuela a threat to U.S. national security. ALBA's
declaration
will be presented at the Summit of the Americas, April 10-11 in Panama.
The ALBA summit's final statement rejected "the
Executive Order issued
on March 9, 2015 by the Government of the United States of America,"
describing it as "unfair" and "unjustifiable" and "threatening
interference" in
violation of "the principle of sovereignty and the principle of
non-intervention
in the internal affairs of States."
It states that Venezuela "does not pose a threat to any
country" and calls
on the "United States to immediately stop the harassment and aggression
against the Venezuelan government and people" believing this
"encourages
destabilization and the use of violence by sectors of the Venezuelan
opposition."
The statement calls for the "peaceful resolution of
conflicts"and call on the
U.S. "to act within the framework of universal principles and the
Charter of
the United Nations," and to especially "refrain from the use of
unilateral
coercive resources that violate international law."
It also calls on the "U.S. government to establish
dialogue with the
government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela as an alternative to
conflict and confrontation, based on continued respect for sovereignty
and
self-determination."
To facilitate this, the statement calls for regional
bodies representing South
America, Latin America and the Caribbean "to facilitate diplomatic
engagement between the governments of the United States of America and
the
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to alleviate tensions and ensure an
amicable
resolution."
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the summit,
Venezuelan
President Nicolás Maduro warned that the United States was
trying to "twist
the arm" of Venezuela, and would continue to do the same against other
sovereign nations in the region. Maduro also quoted the late Venezuelan
president Hugo Chávez as a reminder of the progress that has
been made in
Latin America: "The 21 century will be our century, the century of
emancipation," he said.
Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro wrote a letter to
Venezuelan President
Nicolás Maduro, published March 17, highlighting the importance
of ALBA's
extraordinary high-level summit. The letter was read by Maduro as he
opened
the event.
Bolivian President Evo Morales explained that the U.S.
government is
trying to divide the region: "Now that they cannot defeat us
politically, nor
economically or military through coups, what do they do? They try to
divide
us." Morales urged the U.S. government to change its ways: "The U.S.
government must understand we are not living in imperial times of the
past ...
[President Obama] has to know he is wrong." The Bolivian President
criticized
the double standard applied by the U.S., condemning Venezuela over
alleged
human rights abuses: "In Latin America and the Caribbean we have no
death
penalty, the worst violation possible of human rights, but it does
exist in the
U.S."
Cuban President Raúl Castro said, "The facts show
that history cannot be
ignored," as over decades the U.S. "has backed bloody military
dictatorships,
covert operations and has supported terrorism" in the region.
Furthermore, the
Cuban leader warned about the history of U.S. policy towards the region
in
general: "the objectives are consistent, they've just changed their
methods." He
explained that the region wants peace, but with dignity: "[We want] to
have
peace, but standing tall, not on our knees."
Saint Vincent and Grenadines' President Ralph Gonsalves
said, "The U.S.
executive order is a threat to all of us."
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega referred to the
"coups in Honduras and
Paraguay" and "coup attempts in Bolivia and Ecuador" that have occurred
with
President Obama in power, saying that the U.S. "is a threat to global
security,
this is not rhetoric, it is reality." He warned that the executive
order
"can be used
for anything." He said that the ALBA leaders want "respectful
relationships
between the U.S. and the people of Latin America and the Caribbean."
Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño
criticized the U.S. during his
intervention: "What can the U.S. teach us about human rights... [it]
imposes
lifetime jail sentences against children and teenagers the country that
has
made torture legal and ...developed the most powerful mass surveillance
system." He asked, "If Venezuela is a threat, any of our countries
could be a
threat. What makes Venezuela different from the rest of our countries?"
He
also urged "the international community to respect Latin America and
the
Caribbean as a zone of peace."
"We know these acts of declaring a country or a group of
people a threat
to the United States is a prelude to an invasion, it has happened many
times
before. We cannot risk tolerating this in any way ... Latin America is
advancing very well, economically, but also in terms of social justice
and
political stability. We have to maintain this," explained the
Ecuadorean Foreign
Minister upon his arrival in Caracas.
Support for Governments of Argentina and Brazil
The heads
of state and governments of the ALBA also expressed their support for
the
governments of Presidents Cristina Fernandez of Argentina and Dilma
Rousseff of Brazil, which have both been subject to campaigns aimed at
their
destabilization.
President Fernandez has been contending with an
opposition that is seeking
to link her to the death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman earlier this
year. Nisman
was investigating the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in
Buenos
Aires when he was killed. President Fernandez denies any involvement
and a
court found that Nisman's accusations that Fernandez was involved in a
cover-up of the bombing to be baseless.
In response, ALBA leaders in their final declaration
expressed their deepest
words of solidarity and support for President Fernandez and government
officials who are being subjected to personal and institutional smear
campaign
by a section of the political and media right-wing in her country, "at
the same
time as they are being attacked by vulture funds and international
financial
capital."
The government of Argentina has also been fighting a
group of financial
speculators. These hedge funds have not made loans to the country, but
rather
bought out old debts following Argentina's debt renegotiations and have
been
attempting to extort more than $1 billion from the government through
U.S.
court rulings.
Meanwhile in Brazil, opposition forces have been working
to destabilize
the government of President Rousseff by calling for impeachment
proceedings
against her. The opposition, in concert with hostile private media
outlets, have
been trying to tie her to a scandal involving the state-run oil firm
Petrobras,
despite the fact that she has been cleared of any involvement.
Government
supporters say the opposition is inventing a crisis in order to
undemocratically
remove the president from power, with some protestors openly calling
for a
military coup.
The heads of state and government of the ALBA member
states said that
they "reiterate the strongest support for the democratically-elected
and
legitimate government of the president of the sister Federative
Republic of
Brazil, Dilma Rousseff."
Venezuela Denounces Repeated Interference and
Aggression of United States of North America
- Statement by Embassy of the Bolivarian
Republic of
Venezuela
in Canada and Its Consulates General -
 The Embassy of the
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Canada, in
support of the constitutionally elected and worker's President
Nicolás Maduro
Moros, in support of our democracy and independence, and in defense of
the
sovereign and heroic Venezuelan people; and in order to exalt the
Bolivarian
principles of justice, peace, peoples' self-determination and
non-interference
in the internal affairs of States, wants to announce that Venezuela has
again
been victim of a new interventionist outrage from the Government of the
United States of America, through the executive order signed at the
White
House, on March 9th 2015, in which our country is seen "As a threat to
national security and foreign policy of the United States". At the same
time,
they are imposing new sanctions on Venezuelan citizens; this is a
serious and
unprecedented action that undermines freedom, democracy, sovereignty,
and
the principles of non-intervention in the internal affairs and
fundamentally
attacks the dignity of Venezuelan people, with the purpose of
overthrowing the
legitimately-elected Government of Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuela has an impeccable and recognized reputation in
seeking peace
at international, regional and national levels, including the call for
non-violence in the Middle East; the promotion of a dialogue table for
the
search for peace in Colombia; the strong disapproval of Coup attempts,
among
others. A notable example of this Bolivarian, democratic and peaceful
spirit
has been its election to a seat on the United Nations Security Council;
receiving 181 votes when only 122 were required.
Venezuela is a sovereign country. With strict
democratic
commitment, Venezuela has been a guarantor of freedom and human rights,
as ... has been established by its people in the Constitution in 1999,
which was
approved with the majority backing of 79.1% and expressed in its Title
III:
Duties, human rights, and guarantees; articles 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23,
the
fundamental principles for the establishment of a State of Justice and
Peace.
Similarly, Venezuela has participated in 18 presidential polls in 16
years of
government, which demonstrates our democratic spirit. Venezuela has
been
characterized as a peaceful and humanitarian country, which has gained
its
freedom in the heat of the independence struggles, and has helped to
bring
freedom to the brotherly peoples of Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador and
Peru, with
utmost respect for the self-determination of peoples.
Venezuela defends and will defend itself. With
strict adherence
to the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which
advocates
... respect for life, liberty, justice, equality, solidarity, democracy
and in
general the primacy of human rights; of contemporary internationalist
doctrine,
based on the recent jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice
and on
the practice of the bodies of the United Nations system; pointing to
the
intervention in the internal affairs of another State as a violation of
the
fundamental principle, enshrined as universal obligation in
international law
governing international relations between States, to ensure peace and
international security; we reaffirm our strong and forceful
rejection
of this type of action, which not only undermines the dignity of
Venezuela,
against the democratic election of President Nicolás Maduro,
against the
self-determination of our people; but it also establishes an
unacceptable
precedent that also puts the stability and security of Latin American
peoples
at risk.
Lastly, and for what has been previously stated, we are
publicly
announcing the Venezuelan outcry for the respect of its sovereignty,
independence, self-determination and non-interference in our internal
affairs.
Our constitutional President Nicolás Maduro, President of the
Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela, following ... the legacy of Commander Hugo
Chávez,
has made undeniable efforts to establish a sincere, open and ample
dialogue,
and has made calls for understanding and for tolerance, as the only way
to
ensure true democracy and the respect of fundamental human rights.
We
Demand Respect for Venezuela!
We Demand Respect for Our Democracy!
We Demand that This Foreign Intervention in Our Internal Affairs
Cease!
Venezuela Is Not a Threat!
Venezuela Is Love, Life, Peace and Respect for Human Rights!
("God wanted a path to emerge which would take a
conscious, noble
and courageous people to where we are today" - Hugo Chávez
Frías)
Canadian Senate Motion Gives De Facto Support
for Destabilization of Venezuela
 On March 12, the Senate
passed the following motion, tabled by Senator
Raynell Andreychuk, seconded by Senator Janis Johnson:
"That the Senate of Canada take note of the ongoing
tensions in the
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and that it urge the Government of
Venezuela to:
1. Immediately end all unlawful acts of violence and
repression against
civilians, including the activities of armed civilian groups, and
2. Commit to meaningful and inclusive dialogue centred
on the need
to:
(A) restore the rule of law and constitutionalism,
including the
independence of the judiciary and other state institutions;
(B) respect and uphold international human rights
obligations, including
the freedoms of expression and the press; and,
(C) take swift and appropriate measures to curb
inflation, corruption and
lawlessness, and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all Venezuelans.
That the Senate of Canada further encourage all parties
and
parliamentarians in Venezuela to:
1. Encourage their supporters to refrain from violence
and the destruction
of public and private property; and,
2. Commit to dialogue aimed at achieving a political
solution to the
current crisis and its causes."
This motion followed U.S. President Barack Obama's March
9 executive
order declaring Venezuela a threat to U.S. national security, and a
month after
the planned coup against the Maduro government was to take place, with
the
backing of the U.S., Canadian and other governments.
This motion does nothing but spread disinformation about
the situation in
Venezuela and provides de facto
support for the country's
destabilization.
Firstly, the motion defames the government of Venezuela
as the cause of
the problems in Venezuela. It totally covers up the fact that Venezuela
faces
a serious problem of U.S.-backed opposition forces carrying out
economic
warfare, fomenting social unrest and inciting violence for purposes of
overthrowing the democratically-elected government of Nicolás
Maduro. All
of the misdeeds the Senate accuses the Venezuelan government of doing
are
precisely those acts carried out by the reactionary opposition forces.
Secondly, the Senate remains silent about the serious
threat to Venezuela's
government from the foiled coup attempt, instead of taking a just
public stand
that Canada will not support the overthrow of democratically elected
governments.
Thirdly, the Senate does not take a stand in support of
international law
and peace to oppose the U.S. violation of Venezuela's sovereignty
through
sanctions and its declaration that Venezuela somehow poses a threat to
the
U.S.
 Lastly, the motion shows the
utter hypocrisy of the ruling circles in
Canada, who see fit to look down their noses at the people of Venezuela
and
their elected government, casting all manner of aspersions about the
"rule of
law and constitutionalism," "independence of the judiciary and other
state
institutions," "human rights," "freedoms of expression and the press,"
as well
as criticisms about inaction on "inflation, corruption and lawlessness"
and the
well-being of Venezuelans. Each and every one of these criticisms
applies in
spades to the extremist Harper dictatorship and its nation-wrecking,
with its
laws like Bill C-51 that attack the constitutional and democratic
rights of all,
as well as its criminalization of dissent, interference in the
judiciary, destruction of public services and social programs for the
most vulnerable in
society, and the sell-out of the economy to private interests, to name
just a
few. Where is the Senate to take a stand on all these issues being
raised by
Canadians from coast to coast to coast?
TML Weekly unequivocally condemns the Senate
motion on
Venezuela which sanitizes the nation-wrecking of U.S.-backed
reactionaries
and coup-plotters. TML Weekly calls on everyone to defend
Venezuela's sovereignty and its Bolivarian nation-building project that
empowers the people and provides the means for the realization of their
rights.
President Maduro's Letter to the People of the United
States: Venezuela Is Not a Threat
On March 17, the New
York Times published the following
letter from
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to the people of the U.S.
***
We are the people of Simon Bolívar, our people
believe
in peace and respect for all nations.
Freedom and Independence
More than two centuries ago, our fathers founded a
Republic on the basis
that all persons are free and equal under the law.
Our nation made the greatest sacrifices to guarantee
South American
people their right to choose their rulers and to enforce their own laws
today.
The historical legacy of our father, Simón Bolívar, is
always remembered.
Bolívar was a man who gave his life so we would inherit a nation
of justice
and equality.
We Believe in Peace, National Sovereignty and
International
Law
We are a peaceful people. In two centuries of
independence, we have
never attacked another nation. Our people live in a region of peace,
free of
weapons of mass destruction, and in freedom to practice all religions.
We
uphold respect for international law and the sovereignty of all people
of the
world.
We Are an Open Society
We are a working people, we care for our families, and
we have freedom
of religion. Immigrants from around the world, live among us, whose
diversity
is respected. We have freedom of press and we are enthusiastic users of
social
media.
We Are Friends of the American People
The histories of our people have been connected since
the beginning of
our struggles for freedom. Francisco de Miranda, a Venezuelan hero,
fought
with the American people during their independence fight. We share the
idea
that freedom and independence are fundamental elements for the
development
of our nations.
The relations between our peoples have always been
peaceful and
respectful. Historically, we have shared business relations in
strategic areas.
Venezuela has always been a responsible and trustful energy provider
for the
American people. Since 2005, Venezuela has provided "heating oil"
through
subsidies for low-income communities in the United States, thanks to
our
company CITGO. This contribution has helped tens of thousands of
American
citizens survive in harsh conditions, giving them relief, and necessary
support
in times of need, evidencing how solidarity can create powerful
alliances
across borders.
Incredibly, the U.S government has declared our country
a threat to its
national security and foreign policy
In a disproportionate action, the government of Obama
has issued a
"National Emergency" declaring Venezuela as a threat to its national
security
(Executive Order, 03-09-2015). This unilateral and aggressive measure
taken
by the United States Government against our country is not only
unfounded
and in violation of basic principles of sovereignty and
self-determination under
international law, but also has been unanimously rejected by all 33
nations of
the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the
twelve member states of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
In a statement made on March 14, 2015, UNASUR reiterated its firm
rejection
of these coercive measures that do not contribute to the peace,
stability and
democracy in our region and called on President Obama to revoke his
Executive Order against Venezuela.
We Reject Unilateralism and Interventionism
President Obama, without any authority to interfere in
our internal affairs,
unilaterally issued a set of sanctions against Venezuelan officials
with
potentially far-reaching implications, interfering in our
constitutional order and
our justice system.
We Advocate for a Multipolar World
We believe that our world must be based on the rules of
international law,
without interference in the internal affairs of other countries. We are
convinced
that the relationship of respect between all the nations is the only
path for
strengthening peace and coexistence, as well as for ensuring a more
just
world.
We Honor Our Freedoms and Uphold Our Rights
Never before in the history of our nations, has a
president of the United
States attempted to govern Venezuelans by decree. It is a tyrannical
and
imperial order and it pushes us back into the darkest days of the
relationship
between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean.
In the name of our long-term friendship we alert our
American brothers
and sisters, lovers of justice and freedom, of the illegal aggression
committed
by your government on your behalf. We will not allow our friendship
with the
people of the United States to be affected by this senseless and
groundless
decision by President Obama.
We demand:
1. The U.S. government immediately cease hostile actions
against
Venezuelan people and democracy.
2. President Obama abolish the Executive Order that
declares Venezuela
a threat to U.S. national security, as has been requested by the Union
of South
American Nations (UNASUR).
3. The U.S. Government retract its libelous and
defamatory statements and
actions against the honorable Venezuelan officials who have just obeyed
our
laws and our constitution.
Our Sovereignty Is Sacred
The principles of the founding fathers of the United
States of America are
followed today with the same dignity by the people of Simón
Bolívar. In the
name of our mutual love for national independence we want the
government
of President Obama to think about and rectify this dangerous precedent.
We are convinced that the defense of our freedom is a
right we shall never
give up because the future of the humanity lies also in our country. As
Simon
Bolivar said, "The freedom of the New World is the hope of the
universe."
"Venezuela is not a threat,
but a hope ... Independence or
nothing" -
Simon Bolivar
Venezuela Begins National Defence Exercises
The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) of
Venezuela, together
with the people, began a series of military exercises on March 15 in
several
states to prepare to deal with possible foreign aggression.
Venezuela's Minister for Defence Vladimir Padrino
López, said the
manoeuvres will involve military deployment by sea, land and air and
will be
overseen personally by President Nicolás Maduro as
commander-in-chief. The
drill will last ten days and involve 80,000 soldiers and 20,000
civilians.
The manoeuvres will include marine landings near
refineries, shooting
practice by armored brigades in the west near the border with Colombia.
There will also be training with Russian-made
anti-aircraft systems,
obtained as part of the military technical cooperation between Russia
and
Venezuela, which has strengthened in recent years.
On March 10, President Maduro ordered the "defensive
military exercises"
in order to increase the training of both the soldiers and the people
in defense
operations for their country, as a direct response to increasing U.S.
threats
against the country.
World Bank Rules in Venezuela's Favour,
Rejects "Exorbitant
Compensation"
in Tidewater Nationalization Case
The International Center for Settlement of Investment
Disputes (ICSID) of
the World Bank ruled in favor of Venezuela on Monday, rejecting the
"exorbitant compensation" demanded by Tidewater. The U.S.-based energy
shipping firm was awarded U.S.$46 million in compensation for eleven
vessels
expropriated by the Bolivarian government of late President Hugo Chavez
in
2009.
According to the Venezuelan Ministry of Petroleum, the
ICSID decision
confirms that the government's nationalization of Tidewater's assets in
Venezuela was "totally legal in all aspects."
"The much higher amounts claimed were rejected because
the tribunal
found that the nationalization was lawful," stated lawyer George
Kahale, who
represented Venezuela in the case.
In 2007, the Chavez government issued a law-decree
nationalizing all
remaining oil production sites under foreign control and mandating that
all all
oil extraction in Venezuela be undertaken in the context of joint
ventures, in
which the state oil company PDVSA retains the majority stake.
This move subsequently triggered a wave of lawsuits by
foreign
transnationals in international arbitration bodies demanding
compensation for
nationalized assets. Last year, ICSID ordered Venezuela to pay Exxon
Mobil
US$1.6 billion, which represented only 13% of the amount demanded by
the
transnational firm and was consequently claimed as a victory for the
Bolivarian
Republic.
For Kahale, the Tidewater case marks an important
landmark, setting a
precedent for future cases.
"Venezuela's positions on the central issues of the
legality of the
nationalization, the appropriate valuation date for determining
compensation,
and the appropriate discount rate for calculating compensation were all
accepted by the tribunal in what is likely to be an important precedent
for
other cases."
The Bolivarian government has yet to declare if it will
seek revisions or
annulment of the US$46 million award, but Kahale added that the
decision
was being "carefully reviewed".
Venezuela announced its decision to leave the ICSID in
2012, citing
institutional bias in favor of transnational corporations on the part
of the
Washington-based body. Venezuela's departure from the international
arbitrations organization does not, however, affect the status of the
27 pending
cases against the Bolivarian nation.
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