Condemn Canada's Support for U.S.-Backed Coup in Venezuela

Statement

- Canadian Union of Postal Workers -

A Canadian delegation, including Don Foreman (2nd left) from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, participated as observers in the Venezuelan elections, May 2018.

CUPW condemns the Government of Canada's decision to recognize Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the legitimate president of Venezuela, over the elected president Nicolás Maduro.

It is deeply disturbing that the Canadian government has chosen to support this U.S.-backed coup, which is in direct violation of international law. By following the U.S. agenda in Venezuela, Canada has aligned itself with the right-wing regimes of the Lima Group and Donald Trump, who resemble past U.S. governments who intervened and disrupted democratically elected governments in the Americas and elsewhere in the world. This is unacceptable.

A Legitimate Government

Venezuelans created their Bolivarian Constitution from the ground up and have held several democratic elections. Venezuelans are capable of running their country without interference and harassment from the United States and its allies, including Canada.

Venezuela is currently facing economic difficulties, many a direct result of economic sanctions levied against Venezuela by the United States, in hopes of triggering a change in government.

A Usurpation of the Power

On January 3, 2019, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó swore himself in as interim president. He was quickly (and illegally) recognized by Canada, the U.S. and other U.S. allies. What is happening in Venezuela is a usurpation of the democratic process.

The presidential elections of May 20, 2018 were free, transparent, reliable, secure and in accordance with the law, according to observers from around the world, including a CUPW delegate, who traveled to Venezuela to observe the elections.

President Maduro won with nearly 67.84 per cent of the vote. None of the candidates who participated in the electoral process contested the results. Canada and the U.S. are claiming that the electoral process was not legitimate, despite assurances from numerous observers that it was. What they are really saying is that the latest elections did not garner the outcome they had hoped for.

In CUPW We Do Not Support U.S.-Backed Coup d'États

Let us not be fooled. The U.S. support of this coup is about one thing: oil. Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves and U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton has publicly stated that the U.S. has a lot at stake in Venezuela's political crisis, specifically citing the country's oil and the benefit it could bring to the U.S.

"It will make a big difference to the United States economically if we could have American oil companies really invest in and produce the oil capabilities in Venezuela," said Bolton.

We Support the Venezuelan People and the Postal Workers

Meanwhile, Canada continues its relations with horrific regimes like Saudi Arabia. CUPW maintains solidarity with the Venezuelan people and its postal workers. Under the Bolivarian Constitution, Venezuelan government worker rights, health and safety, and rights to health care were vastly improved. We stand with our sisters and brothers in their fight to protect their rights and democracy from foreign governments who are intent on dismantling them.

In Solidarity,

Mike Palecek National President

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

(February 7, 2019)

This article was published in

Number 6 - February 21, 2019

Article Link:
Condemn Canada's Support for U.S.-Backed Coup in Venezuela: Statement - Canadian Union of Postal Workers

    

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