30 July 2010
British voices support Venezuelan national sovereignty

Progressive voices in Britain have warned that the latest accusations made by Colombia’s outgoing President Uribe against the elected government of Venezuela, pose a threat to peace in the region and Venezuela’s national sovereignty.

Venezuela itself has cut off relations with Colombia in response to Uribe’s false accusations that the country supports terrorism, which many in the region are concerned are a pretext for justifying external intervention into Venezuela.

Francisco Dominguez, Secretary of the Venezuela solidarity campaign, said “These worrying new developments come in a context of the increasing US militarization of the region that is threatening to destabilise Latin America, including plans by the US to build new bases in Colombia itself. All supporters of democracy and social progress must express their solidarity with Venezuela at this crucial time.”

Colin Burgon, Chair of Labour Friends of Venezuela added that, “We call upon the international community – including the British government - to reject Uribe's crude and ill-intentioned escalation of the tensions between Venezuela and Colombia, and call upon the incoming president of Colombia to seek to resolve all bilateral problems with Venezuela through peaceful means and through negotiations.”

Jennie Bremner, Unite the Union Assistant General Secretary, said “Venezuela has been a beacon of social progress in Latin America and across the world in recent years and because of it has been the target of a sustained campaign of destabilisation. Its national sovereignty must be respected and constructive engagement pursued.”

Earlier this year, a range of figures from across British society – including parliamentarians from six political parties, cultural figures including filmmakers and singers, writers and academics, leading figures in the anti-war and peace movements, trade union general secretaries and others - added their name to an increasingly relevant statement which supported the Venezuela Under Threat initiative of the VSC in order “ to urge that national sovereignty is respected and the tragic mistakes of US-backed bloody military coups and interventions in the 20th Century are not repeated.”

Notes to Editors:

• Outgoing President Uribe, days before his mandate ends, has charged Venezuela with harbouring terrorist camps in Venezuelan territory. The Uribe government has used such charge on various occasions in the past and the Venezuelan government has repeatedly denied charges of collaborating with Colombian guerrillas.
  Colombia’s President-elect Juan Santos recently indicated he would seek to resolve all pending issues with Venezuela through dialogue and negotiations, and President Chavez has also stated his willingness to engage constructively with Colombia.
• The full text of the launch statement of the Venezuela UnderThreat initiative, and list of initial signatories, which was published in the Independent on Sunday, can be found at http://www.vicuk.org/index.php?option=com_search&Itemid=33 .
• For media comment or further information, contact the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign on info@venezuelasolidarity.co.uk or 0207 420 8963.