Venezuela Is Not a threat
Letter to the People of the United States
By Nicolas Maduro | President of
Venezuela
March 21, 2015 "ICH"
- We are the people of Simon Bolívar, our
people believe in peace and respect for all
nations.
Freedom
and Independence
More than two centuries ago, our fathers
founded a Republic on the basis that all
persons are free and equal under the law.
Our nation made the greatest sacrifices to
guarantee South American people their right
to choose their rulers and to enforce their
own laws today. The historical legacy of our
father, Simón Bolívar, is always remembered.
Bolívar was a man who gave his life so we
would inherit a nation of justice and
equality.
We believe in Peace, National
Sovereignty and International Law
We are a peaceful people. In two centuries
of independence, we have never attacked
another nation. Our people live in a region
of peace, free of weapons of mass
destruction, and in freedom to practice all
religions. We uphold respect for
international law and the sovereignty of all
people of the world.
We
are an Open Society
We are a working people, we care for our
families, and we have freedom of religion.
Immigrants from around the world, live among
us, whose diversity is respected. We have
freedom of press and we are enthusiastic
users of social media.
We are friends of the
American people:
The histories of our people have been
connected since the beginning of our
struggles for freedom. Francisco de Miranda,
a Venezuelan hero, fought with the American
people during their independence fight. We
share the idea that freedom and independence
are fundamental elements for the development
of our nations.
The relations between our peoples have
always been peaceful and respectful.
Historically, we have shared business
relations in strategic areas. Venezuela has
always been a responsible and trustful
energy provider for the American people.
Since 2005, Venezuela has provided “heating
oil” through subsidies for low-income
communities in the United States, thanks to
our company CITGO. This contribution has
helped tens of thousands of American
citizens survive in harsh conditions, giving
them relief, and necessary support in times
of need, evidencing how solidarity can
create powerful alliances across borders.
Incredibly, the U.S
government has declared our country a threat
to its national security and foreign policy
In a disproportionate action, the government
of Obama has issued a “National Emergency”
declaring Venezuela as a threat to its
national security (Executive Order,
03-09-2015). This unilateral and aggressive
measure taken by the United States
Government against our country is not only
unfounded and in violation of basic
principles of sovereignty and
self-determination under international law,
but also has been unanimously rejected by
all 33 nations of the Community of Latin
American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and
the twelve member states of the Union of
South American Nations (UNASUR). In a
statement made on March 14, 2015, UNASUR
reiterated its firm rejection of these
coercive measures that do not contribute to
the peace, stability and democracy in our
region and called on President Obama to
revoke his Executive Order against
Venezuela.
We reject unilateralism and
interventionism
President Obama, without any authority to
interfere in our internal affairs,
unilaterally issued a set of sanctions
against Venezuelan officials with
potentially far-reaching implications,
interfering in our constitutional order and
our justice system.
We advocate for a multipolar
world
We believe that our world must be based on
the rules of international law, without
interference in the internal affairs of
other countries. We are convinced that the
relationship of respect between all the
nations is the only path for strengthening
peace and coexistence, as well as for
ensuring a more just world.
We honor our freedoms and
uphold our rights
Never before in the history of our nations,
has a president of the United States
attempted to govern Venezuelans by decree.
It is a tyrannical and imperial order and it
pushes us back into the darkest days of the
relationship between the United States and
Latin America and the Caribbean.
In the name of our long-term friendship we
alert our American brothers and sisters,
lovers of justice and freedom, of the
illegal aggression committed by your
government on your behalf. We will not allow
our friendship with the people of the United
States to be affected by this senseless and
groundless decision by President Obama.
We demand:
1- The U.S. Government immediately cease
hostile actions against Venezuelan people
and democracy.
2- President Obama abolish the Executive
Order that declares Venezuela a threat to
U.S. national security, as has been
requested by the Union of South American
Nations (UNASUR).
3. The U.S. Government retract its libelous
and defamatory statements and actions
against the honorable Venezuelan officials
who have just obeyed our laws and our
constitution.
Our sovereignty is sacred
The principles of the founding fathers of
the United States of America are followed
today with the same dignity by the people of
Simón Bolívar. In the name of our mutual
love for national independence we want the
government of President Obama to think about
and rectify this dangerous precedent.
We are convinced that the defense of our
freedom is a right we shall never give up
because the future of the humanity lies also
in our country. As Simón Bolívar said:
“The
freedom of the New World is the hope of the
universe”.
“Venezuela is not a threat, but a hope”
“Independence or nothing”
Simón Bolívar