Solidarity with Venezuela: European Left Party statement

Groups linked to the Venezuelan right-wing opposition have unleashed a wave of violence across the country, following their loss at Sunday’s presidential elections and their refusal to accept the official results. The European Left Party has issued the following statement, calling for respect for the democratic outcome and the election of Nicolás Maduro.

“The European Left calls for peace in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and asks for the end of violence, which has already resulted in the death of six people and 61 injured. All of them were attacked by violent groups – apparently of the opposition.

Some health centres and food distribution stores have been set on fire and some governmental institutions were attacked. The will of the opposition to destabilize and to create a climate of violence seems evident.

The European Left will not tolerate any attempt at a coup d’état in Venezuela, so we issue the call to our respective parties and their militants to support democracy in Venezuela, headed by its constitutional president Nicolás Maduro.

Until now Capriles addressed the national electoral council in order to contest the results – an internationally recognized way to solve the controversy.

In this political scenario the European Left issues a call for unity and for calm and rejects the acts of violence and the assassinations of left militants and of defenceless citizens.

The European Left reaffirms its most firm solidarity with the Venezuelan people and with the progressive forces which defend the constitutional democracy.

Maite Mola,
European Left Vice-President

17 April 2013

Left Unity is active in movements and campaigns across the left, working to create an alternative to the main political parties.

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Left Unity is a member of the European Left Party.