05) HANDS OFF VENEZUELA, PRESIDENT OBAMA

People’s Voice Editorial

            World public opinion increasingly condemns President Barack Obama’s March 9th Executive Order declaring Venezuela “an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security.” In Venezuela itself, a huge campaign is underway to collect 10 million names urging repeal of this Order, and people in other countries (including Canada) are signing this appeal in solidarity. A powerful statement issued by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which represents all 33 countries in the region, calls for reversal of the Executive Order. The United Nations G77+China group of 134 countries has urged the U.S. government to open a dialogue with Venezuela based on respect for sovereignty and self-determination. The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) representing 12 South American states, the Bolivarian Alliance of the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) representing 11 Latin American and Caribbean nations, and the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) have also issued powerful condemnations. Many parliamentarians have made similar statements, including over 100 British MPs (but sadly, none from Canada!).

            Even prominent members of the Venezuelan opposition have spoken out. Henry Falcon, the governor of Lara State, told the U.S. President, “Let me express to you clearly that Venezuela can’t be considered a threat to any other nation on the planet. We have serious internal problems but we will solve them between Venezuelans.”

            At the Summit of the Americas in Panama City on April 9-10, this issue will be at the top of the agenda. The days when the White House could topple or “elect” Latin American presidents with a casual flick of a finger are over. Canadians should pressure the Harper government to apologize for its attacks against Venezuela, and join the rest of the hemisphere in demanding that Washington respect the sovereignty and self-determination of other countries.    

(The above article is from the April 16-30, 2015 issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading socialist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)