On Monday, August 26, the XI Extraordinary Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Agreement (ALBA-TCP) was held. The summit focused on the current situation in Venezuela and the challenges the country faces amid international pressure to force a change in government following the last presidential elections.
In these elections, Nicolás Maduro of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) was re-elected, a result confirmed by both the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ). The XI ALBA-TCP Extraordinary Summit officially recognized the TSJ’s decision regarding the election outcome.
The summit brought together representatives from Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Lucia. The Honduran Ambassador to Venezuela also attended.
The Heads of State and Government demanded respect for the sovereignty and self-determination of all countries, including Venezuela, as these are inalienable principles of the United Nations Charter and International Law. In this context, they condemned the 930 economic measures imposed against the Venezuelan economy, which are aimed at “suffocating” the Caribbean country.
They also warned against any coup d’état attempts or foreign military interventions that could take place in Venezuela or any country in the region, affirming that such actions represent a serious threat to democracy, peace, and regional stability. The participants severely criticized what some leaders called a “communication war” aimed at fomenting violence and social division, particularly among the young.
A hybrid war against socialist governments in Latin America
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said that his country “stands in solidarity with the people of Venezuela. We will always and unambiguously defend what the peaceful, honorable, and beloved people of Venezuela defend and support with their voice. Despite being punished by unjust, coercive, unilateral measures and facing very adverse circumstances, through hard work and determination, they have achieved the economic and social rebirth of the [Venezuelan] nation.”
Bolivian President Luis Arce warned about the dangers of the “hybrid war” that, according to him, has been waged against the governments of his country and Venezuela “through a campaign of disinformation and discreditation of President Nicolás Maduro’s government, which endangers peace and stability…These activities intensified during the presidential elections, with the promotion of hate speech and a false narrative of electoral fraud, driven by some sectors of the opposition and external agents to overturn the will of the majority expressed at the polls.”
In the same vein, Daniel Ortega, President of Nicaragua, called for an end to the questioning of the legitimacy of the Venezuelan presidential elections: ‘Nicolás [Maduro] is the legitimate president [of Venezuela], and [the continuation] of Hugo Chávez.’
For his part, Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, warned that if one looks at the region’s history, it is evident that the economic elites are constantly seeking to take control of any political moment. He also questioned the statements of the U.S. government: “The United States should not have a say in the elections in our region… I call on the U.S. to cease its hostilities against Venezuela, Cuba, or any other country that seeks to resist imperialism.”
In this regard, Nicolás Maduro said that “the United States has not ceased in its efforts to take power in Venezuela and colonize it.” He also pointed out that there is a “media siege” around Venezuela, which promotes only one type of news. For example, President Maduro noted that practically nothing has been said about the communal elections held last weekend, which have fundamental historical relevance. Finally, Maduro thanked the ALBA-TCP countries for their support and solidarity and reaffirmed his commitment to continue resisting the attacks from the opposition and foreign powers that seek to overthrow his government.
