Workers Uniting: Our Statement on Venezuela's Unelected President

January 25, 2019

Workers Uniting joins the democratic trade unions of the Western Hemisphere, represented in the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas, in condemning the US-led recognition of an unelected opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, as president of Venezuela. Workers Uniting also condemns the actions of the governments of the UK, Canada and other countries that have slavishly followed the US lead.

Over the past 20 years the US has endeavoured to destabilise Venezuela with economic warfare and a financial blockade in their attempt to assert its influence and control over the oil, gold and mineral-rich country. These actions, which clearly violate international law, now culminate in the recognition of an unelected opposition leader as president of the country - effectively a right-wing coup attempt.

Workers Uniting strongly condemns the US threat of military action and its attempt to add Venezuela to the list of state sponsors of terrorism in order to justify such action.

The problems and difficulties that exist in Venezuela must be resolved democratically by the Venezuelan people, free from outside coercion. We encourage the international community to follow the initiative of Mexico and Uruguay to promote a new process of inclusive and credible negotiations with full respect for the rule of law and human rights.

Workers Uniting is the global union - representing more than two million workers in Canada, Ireland, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States - formed by UNITE the Union, the United Steelworkers, and the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalúrgicos, Siderúrgicos y Similares de la República Mexicana (Los Mineros).