Logo of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP). Photo: File photo.
The member states of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) have rejected a new set of sanctions imposed “on a group of Venezuelan state officials” by the government of Canada, the organization announced in a statement. ALBA-TCP stated it condemns this new wave of illegal and arbitrary measures, and demands respect for the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people.
“Canada, like the US government, persists in its policy of imposing [coercive unilateral] measures on Venezuelan public officials in the name of ‘democracy,’” reads the statement, published via social media this Tuesday, December 17.
The Canadian entity’s government has imposed sanctions on five current and former senior Venezuelan officials, claiming that those people had been involved in activities that “undermine democracy,” something that typically means refusing to follow directions, blackmails, and extortion from the US empire and its allies.
#Communiqué | ALBA-TCP rejects new sanctions imposed by the goverment of Canada on venezuelan officials
The member states of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America–People’s Trade Treaty #ALBATCP reject the imposition of unilateral and arbitrary coercive measures… pic.twitter.com/Yz95yGmLMe
— ALBA-TCP (@ALBATCP) December 18, 2024
The foreign ministry of the Canadian entity further said in a statement that the objectives of the sanctions are to target those who “have been involved in fraudulently declaring Nicolás Maduro the winner of the presidential election of July 28, 2024,” something that many analysts evaluate as copycatting a similar decision taken by the White House.
Among those sanctioned are Caryslia Rodríguez, president of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), as well as Juan Carlos Hidalgo, another member of the highest court; Rosalba Gil Pacheco, a member of the National Electoral Council (CNE); Edward Miguel Briceño Cisneros, a judge; and Luis Ernesto Dueñez Reyes, a public attorney, said the Canadian foreign office.
The full official translation of the statement from ALBA-TCP is below:
The member states of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) reject the imposition of unilateral and arbitrary coercive measures on a group of Venezuelan government officials, announced by the Canadian government.
Canada, as well as the U.S. Government, continues its policy of imposing measures on Venezuelan government officials on behalf of “democracy”. This type of subservient actions by the Canadian government justifies the contemptuous treatment that political actors in the United States give to that country.
These so-called “sanctions” are nothing more than a failed attempt to put pressure on the sister Bolivarian nation, with the purpose of promoting destabilization and bringing about a change of government by force, in violation of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and International Law.
Venezuela has the right to build its own model without interference of any kind and to continue on the path of prosperity and well-being, no matter how much it may bother the Ottawa and Washington’s governments.
Venezuelan government reaction
The Venezuelan government issued its own statement on Tuesday, also rejecting the Canadian entity’s decision.
The unofficial translation of the statement reads as follows:
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela strongly rejects the Extortionate Measures against Venezuelan officials, which the government of Canada intends to impose, an action that confirms, once again, its servile role as a slave to the imperial interests of the United States.
These illegal actions, directed against legitimate officials of our country, are nothing more than a failed attempt to put pressure on Venezuela, demonstrating the humiliation and international discredit of the Canadian government, which is reduced to acting as a diminished and subordinate pawn to the US government.
While Canada bows to Washington’s orders, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela remains firm, sovereign and unwavering, defending the will of the Venezuelan people and the rule of law, without responding to external blackmail or shameful interference.
Caracas, December 17, 2024
(Últimas Noticias) by Larry Márquez with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/AU
