ALBA Adds to Condemnations of US Threats on Venezuela

 

A range of different regional bodies consider the US executive order a threat against Venezuela's sovereignty.

​The ALBA group of nations added its voice Tuesday to a growing chorus rejecting the new measures taken by the U.S. government against Venezuela.

The 12 members of the ALBA group of Latin American and Caribbean nations issued a statement opposing, “any aggression or attempt to undermine the peace, democracy and sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”

The bloc also pointed out that the measures implemented by the U.S. – both the sanctions against Venezuelan officials and the executive order – go against the principles of international law.

The statement follows condemnation from the Union of South American States (UNASUR) and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).

The head of UNASUR, Ernesto Samper, accused the U.S. of seeking to further polarize the Venezuelan people through the measures.

“I don't think it is good for a country to impose unilateral sanctions … the Venezuelan affairs have to be resolved by the Venezuelan people,” said Samper, speaking to reporters.

The Parlatino also approved a resolution in rejection of the U.S. actions and in support of UNASUR's efforts to end the political standoff between the Venezuelan government and the right-wing opposition.

The head of the Venezuelan delegation to Parlatino, Angel Rodriguez, denounced the latest U.S. measure as an act of interference against his country.

“They are trying to generate support in public opinion to justify the critics, the sanctions, the economic warfare, even an armed intervention,” Rodriguez explained.

ALBA statement (unofficial translation)

The Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) group of countries expresses its utmost rejection of the “Executive Order” issued by the United States President Barack Obama, on March 9, 2015, in which the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is categorized as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to national security and U.S. foreign policy.

This constitutes an unprecedented aggression against that country and thus our region.

This aggression violates every principle of international law which governs relationships between states, treating every state as equal and sovereign.

It also undermines the historic anti-imperialist struggle claimed by our people, and threatens the peace and tranquility of our countries.

The ALBA member states reject emphatically every aggression and attempt to undermine the peace, democracy and sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and we urge the U.S. government to respect the right to self-determination of the people and the non-interference in internal affairs, in accordance to international law and the spirit of freedom and independence. 

Fonte: http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/ALBA-Adds-to-Condemnations-of-US-Threats-on-Venezuela-20150310-0033.html

Bolivia: Bank of the South Ready to Operate

 

Bolvia’s finance minister announced that the Bank of the South is ready to begin operations.

The alternative financial institution Bank of the South is ready to begin operations with capital contributions from Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador and Venezuela, said Bolivian Finance Minister Luis Arce on Monday.

Arce stated that countries were "now fulfilling the requirements for the establishment and start of operations of the Bank of the South: resources from Argentina, Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia have been guaranteed."

"The only thing we need is for the presidents to gather and raise the checkered flag to start activities at the Bank of the South," said Arce, adding there was no official date for the opening.

The Bank of the South was an initiative proposed in 2007 by the member countries of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).

The bank seeks to lessen dependence on traditional international financial institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund by providing alternative sources of financial capital.

The financial institution is expected to have an initial operation budget of US$20 billion, which will finance a wide variety of projects including physical infrastructure, energy integration and natural resource initiatives.
 

Fonte: http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Bolivia-Bank-of-the-South-Ready-to-Operate-20150310-0010.html

USA Preparing Military Intervention against Venezuela, Says Analyst

 

Uruguayan-Ecuadorian analyst Kintto Lucas said today that the decision of President Barack Obama to consider Venezuela a threat to US national security is the prelude to an armed intervention against Venezuela. Lucas said, in an article that he sent to the Prensa Latina news agency, that this action can begin with a naval blockade to block Venezuelan oil exports.

"This way the economic coup that has been staged, and complemented by the direct actions of the opposition, would be strengthened, leading to a civil war that would give the United States the excuse to invade", said Lucas.

Lucas, who was deputy foreign minister of Ecuador from 2010 to 2012, urged the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) to adopt a critical stance against what he described as an attack on Latin American sovereignty.

"The future will show us that if we do not take joint urgent actions, we will possibly regret an intervention and civil war", said Lucas while considering that the United States Government is using the same method it used to invade Libya and Syria.

After pointing out that "the blockade on Cuba has not being lifted and another blockade on a Latin American country is beginning", Lucas urged political parties and social movements that support Latin American sovereignty to join a common front against US intervention in Venezuela.

Fonte: http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3609091&Itemid=1

Samper: sanciones de EE. UU. a Venezuela "radicalizan ánimos"

Samper ya había declarado que "no hay ninguna posibilidad de que Unasur avale una ruptura o un intento de tumbar o de detener el proceso democrático en Venezuela". Foto: EFE

El secretario general del bloque señaló que "los asuntos de Venezuela los tienen que resolver los venezolanos".   

El secretario general de la Unión de Naciones Suramericanas (Unasur), Ernesto Samper, consideró este martes que las sanciones impuestas el lunes por EE. UU. a altos funcionarios venezolanos contribuyen a "radicalizar los ánimos" entre los dos países en medio de "la situación ya polarizada que se vive en Venezuela".

"Obviamente registramos con preocupación esta decisión porque, a mi juicio, no va a contribuir a calmar sino a radicalizar los ánimos en la situación ya polarizada que se vive en Venezuela", sostuvo Samper en entrevista con Caracol Radio.

"No considero que sea favorable que un país de forma unilateral imponga sanciones", opinó Samper, que destacó que "los asuntos de Venezuela los tienen que resolver los venezolanos".

Estados Unidos impuso el lunes nuevas sanciones contra altos funcionarios venezolanos, emitió una orden ejecutiva que "implementa y amplía" las sanciones aprobadas por el Congreso a finales del pasado año y declaró una situación de "emergencia nacional" ante el "riesgo extraordinario" que supone la situación venezolana para la seguridad de Estados Unidos.

Se trata de una medida en respuesta a "la erosión de garantías de derechos humanos por parte del gobierno de Venezuela" y la "persecución de oponentes políticos", según la orden ejecutiva emitida por el presidente estadounidense, Barack Obama.

A juicio de Unasur, tanto la decisión del gobierno EE. UU. como la respuesta del presidente venezolano, Nicolás Maduro, quien pedirá "poderes especiales" al parlamento para defender la "integridad" del país, "no contribuyen a enfriar y aclarar el clima que se está viviendo".

Así mismo lamentó que estas sanciones lleguen pocos días después de que se anunciara que Venezuela celebrará en el segundo semestre de este año elecciones legislativas para renovar la totalidad de la unicameral Asamblea Nacional (Parlamento) de Venezuela, dominada actualmente por el oficialismo.

"Veo que hay por lo menos una voluntad democrática de los dirigentes (venezolanos) de aprovechar el espacio que se abre de unas próximas elecciones que tendrán lugar antes de concluir el año", comentó Samper, quien fue presidente de Colombia entre 1994 y 1998.

El secretario general reiteró el apoyo de Unasur a buscar una salida institucional a la crisis de Venezuela, con quien ha trabajado recientemente como intermediario.

De hecho, el pasado viernes, Samper encabezó una delegación compuesta por los cancilleres de Colombia, Ecuador y Brasil, la cual se reunió en Caracas con Maduro y otras autoridades y con algunos de los dirigentes de la oposición.

Hoy recordó que, tras esa visita, "una de las conclusiones de los cancilleres fue buscar un acercamiento con EE.UU.", algo que será complicado con el actual incremento de la tensión.

"Nosotros lo que creemos es que hay que buscar salidas, porque esta campaña que se está incrementando de recriminaciones, de insultos, de juicios públicos de responsabilidades que no llegan a ninguna parte; me parece que a quienes les está haciendo daño finalmente es a los venezolanos", apuntó.
Fonte: http://www.semana.com/mundo/articulo/samper-sanciones-de-ee-uu-venezuela-radicalizan-animos/420512-3

SPAIN REITERATES SUPPORT FOR COLOMBIA PEACE PROCESS

Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has announced that he will promote an agreement to do away with visas for Colombian citizens that want to travel to the Schengen area at the upcoming EU-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Summit in June. The leaders of Spain and Colombia signed a declaration and various partnership agreements.

Rajoy, received the President of the Republic of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, who is on a State visit to Spain, at Moncloa Palace.

At the joint press conference they gave at the end of the meeting, Rajoy highlighted that the visit takes places at a key time in the recent history of Colombia. “After half a century of hostilities and numerous victims, President Santos has pushed through a highly complex peace process with a far-reaching historical scope that is currently going through a crucial phase”, he explained.

Rajoy recalled that Juan Manuel Santos was in Madrid last November at the start of a European tour designed to explain the developments in the peace process in Colombia and to gather political support for this process. As he did on that occasion, he reiterated the Spanish Government’s support for the initiative, “support that is shared by the main Spanish political forces and by our own public opinion”. “I am aware that President Santos is working with great drive and conviction. I hope that peace comes soon”, he added.

Progress on removing Schengen visas

Rajoy undertook to mediate at the upcoming EU-CELAC Summit in June in Brussels to try to push through the removal of the requirement for Schengen visas for Colombian and Peruvian citizens. He explained that the measure has received positive political backing but that certain technical issues are still pending. “It would be reckless of me to put a date on it because the resolution of these problems is not down to me, but I will do all I can”, he said.

“I would like to highlight that this initiative is recognition of thousands of Colombians that live in Spain and who have decisively contributed to our development and to our liberty. It is also due recognition of all Colombians, their sacrifices and their desire for peace”, Rajoy added.

Bilateral agreements

The Governments of Spain and Colombia have signed a declaration that updates the current framework of the Strategic Association in force since 2008, which identifies priorities in bilateral relations, as well as potential areas for future collaboration. “The agreement provides for the re-launch of the High-Level Commission, chaired by the foreign affairs ministers, which will meet on an annual basis at alternating locations”, pointed out Rajoy.

In addition, other sector agreements have been signed on development cooperation, broadcasting in Castilian Spanish, air transport and collaboration on issues relating to penitentiary institutions. The two leaders confirmed the strong level of economic and trade relations between the two countries and the potential for expansion.

European Union-Latin America

The two leaders also spoke about relations between the EU and Latin America and, in particular, with Colombia, which, according to Rajoy, “is a good example of creative and diversified cooperation.

At an economic and trade level, the Spanish Prime Minister advocated taking further steps “on the path between Latin America and Europe by facilitating integration and free trade processes”. He also recalled that Spain will continue to support Colombia’s membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), “a process that will hopefully be concluded next year”.

On security issues, Rajoy recalled that Colombia has increased its commitment beyond its borders. In this regard, he pointed out that the agreement signed with the European Union “will shortly allow Colombia to play an active role, through a naval vessel, in Operation Atalanta to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean”. He also remarked that Colombia has laid the foundations for its cooperation with NATO, resulting in the signing of an agreement on co-operation and information security in July 2013. “Spain clearly supports these initiatives”, he stressed.

Among other issues Rajoy and Juan Manuel Santos also tackled the upcoming EU-CELAC Summit; the Ibero-American Summit that will take place in Colombia in 2016, and the progress made by the Pacific Alliance, of which Spain was the first EU Observer State.

Fonte: http://www.eurasiareview.com/04032015-spain-reiterates-support-for-colombia-peace-process/

UNASUR to Visit Venezuela to Investigate Foiled Coup Plot

Three foreign ministers will join the fact-finding delegation Friday.

Three foreign ministers from the Union of South American Nations member states will travel to Venezuela Friday in light of recent coup attempts, Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Eduardo Patiño confirmed Wednesday.

“I confirm a visit to Venezuela of three foreign mnisters and the Secretary-General of UNASUR this Friday, March 6,” the Ecuadorean official posted to his official twitter account.

Confirmo visita a Venezuela de tres Cancilleres y Secretario General de UNASUR este viernes 6 de marzo. — Ricardo Patiño Aroca (@RicardoPatinoEC)March 4, 2015

Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Colombia’s Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin will also be joining the fact-finding mission.

On the same day, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro confirmed that former Colombian president and current head of UNASUR, Ernesto Samper, would be accompanying the group.

“Secretary-General of UNASUR, Ernesto Samper, confirmed to me that this Friday the delegation to support democracy in Venezuela is coming on Friday. Thank God we have UNASUR, that allows us to navigate these battles through paths of peace,” he said.

Venezuelan authorities recently revealed that a coup attempt against the democratically-elected government had been thwarted.

President Maduro explained that the coup plot was hatched in the United States with the support of staff at the U.S. embassy in Caracas. Many significant opposition figures are alleged to have ties to the coup plot, including opposition mayor Antonio Ledezma, who was arrested in February.

Fonte: http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Patino-Confirms-UNASUR-Visit-to-Venezuela-over-Coup-Plot-20150304-0038.html

Venezuela, Mercosul e o assédio midiático: o império da mentira ataca novamente

Falam de caos econômico, corrupção, respeito aos direitos humanos aqueles que foram cúmplices de desaparecimentos, torturas e privatizações criminosas.

O debate é muito útil em momentos no qual o assédio à Venezuela recomeça, no marco de um prolongado processo de golpe contínuo que já dura quase 14 anos, e no qual se destaca o papel estelar dos meios de comunicação hegemônico, com libreto cartelizado de mentiras e manipulações, repetido em diferentes idiomas.

Hoje a direita trata de impor o imaginário de que a Venezuela é uma ditadura e que, por conseguinte, deve ser expulsa do Mercado Comum do Sul (Mercosul).

Eles estão conscientes de que não conseguirão o que propõem, mas sua estratégia é criar esse imaginário. No dia 26 de fevereiro, o jornal venezuelano El Nacional anunciava que os parlamentares direitistas argentinos Roberto Pradines, Mario Negri, Patricia Bullrich e Sergio Bergman, todos membros da Comissão do Mercosul, disseram que a prisão do prefeito Antonio Ledesma “afeta a democracia no país” e, como consequência, solicitarão a ativação do Protocolo de Ushuaia sobre compromisso democrático.

E pediram a presença, na Venezuela, de uma Comissão do Observatório da Democracia do Parlamento do Mercosul (Parlasul), com o objetivo de suspender sua participação no bloco regional. A esse coro se somaram alguns parlamentares da direita uruguaia.

Cabe aqui recordar que o Protocolo de Ushuaia estabelece como único pressuposto para sua aplicação a ruptura da ordem democrática em algum dos países do Mercosul. E prevê que, uma vez esgotada a instância de consultas dos Estados entre si e com o Estado afetado, e em caso de que estas resultem infrutíferas, será possível passar à aplicação de medidas de sanção.

Mas tanto o período de consultas quanto as eventuais sanções devem ser decididas pelos presidentes, por consenso (e não por legisladores vociferantes, minoritários nos parlamentos de seus países).

E mais: não existe na Venezuela a ruptura da ordem democrática, e a grande maioria dos países latino-americanos e caribenhos expressaram apoio ao governo de Nicolás Maduro.

As instituições democráticas venezuelanas, isto é, todos os seus poderes públicos se encontram legitimados e em pleno exercício de suas funções – em especial, a Assembleia Nacional.

Por outro lado, o Observatório da Democracia do Parlasul, desde sua criação em 2008, limitou sua atuação no acompanhamento dos processos eleitorais nos países do Mercosul e nos estados associados. Envolver o observatório em processos que implicam a avaliação (ou supervisão) política o transformaria em um instrumento de ingerência e abriria um precedente perigoso para a integração que se caracteriza por conseguir a unidade da diversidade.

O regulamento do observatório estabelece que haverá um Conselho de Representantes (com três parlamentares por país) e coordenado pelo presidente do Parlasul. Atualmente, a presidência do Parlasul é exercida pela Venezuela. Mas qualquer decisão sobre eventuais sanções depende da vontade consensual dos presidentes, e não da vociferação de alguns parlamentares com intenções desestabilizadoras e atentatórias contra a integração.

As razões
Toda essa ofensiva tem sua razão: a direita nunca esteve tão fraca em nossa região, e prova disso é que perde sucessivamente as eleições em países como Brasil, Argentina, Uruguai, Bolívia, Equador, Venezuela e El Salvador. Foi desalojada de governos que acreditava ser sua propriedade. E continuam sem entender as transformações sociais, a recuperação do papel do Estado, a ativa participação nos processos integradores, sua independência dos ditados de Washington.

A debilidade das direitas é clara: seus ícones estão em crise institucional e de legitimidade. O Chile, com as consequências da privatização; México, como exemplo de como um TLC dissolve o Estado; Colômbia, com a legitimação paramilitar; Peru, que acaba oferecendo seu território como base naval norte-americana...

Essas direitas não se resignam ao fato de governos populares resgataram seus povos dos desastres produzidos pelas ditaduras cívico-militares e pelos governos neoliberais.

Os governos neoliberais não apenas fracassaram, mas manifestam uma patética incapacidade de formular propostas alternativas, dedicando-se a sabotar os processos desses países, desestabilizar governos, apostar no caos e, inclusive, servir – como paus mandados – aos propósitos e interesses antinacionais dos bancos transnacionais, das empresas transnacionais, à geopolítica norte-americana na região.

Emir Sader observa que as direitas argentina e brasileira têm enormes similaridades, porque ambas se reorganizaram em torno dos mais importantes governos populares que esses países tiveram no século XX: os de Perón e de Getúlio Vargas. Por isso, são direitas elitistas, oligárquicas, racistas, antinacionais. É a direita que tentou derrubar Vargas em 1954 e o levou ao suicídio. É a que derrubou Perón em 1955 e levou a Argentina a iniciar o ciclo das ações militares gorilas na região.

É a direita que finalmente deu o golpe no Brasil em 1964 e instaurou a mais longa ditadura militar na região. É a mesma direita que tentou fazer o mesmo em 1966 na Argentina, mas viu seu golpe frustrado. Teve que voltar à ativa em 1976 para fechar o círculo de terror das ditaduras no Cone Sul, acrescenta Sader.

Falam do perigo de caos econômico, de corrupção, de respeito aos direitos humanos aqueles que foram cúmplices e coparticipantes de desaparecimentos, torturas, assassinatos e da maior corrupção na história dos países – especialmente, nos processos de privatização dos bens e empresas públicos. Ameaçam com golpes: duros, brandos, midiáticos.

Os golpistas de hoje apelam aos militares para que estes desalojem do poder um governo, fechem o Congresso, proíbam os partidos políticos e os movimentos populares. Seu discurso é que são justamente os governantes aqueles que violam a Constituição e que, por isso, é preciso destituí-los, tal como aconteceu em Honduras com Manuel Zelaya e no Paraguai com Fernando Lugo.

E não precisam de tanques ou de Forças Armadas. Usam seu novo armamento, o terror midiático cartelizado regional e internacional.

Fonte: Rebelión.org