President Maduro speaks on live television. Photo: Alba Ciudad.
During the 55th broadcast of the program Con Maduro +, the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, highlighted the solid relations between Venezuela and Honduras, firmly supporting President Xiomara Castro in the face of the attempted coup d’état in Honduras.
“On behalf of the people of Venezuela, of the Bolivarian and revolutionary government that I preside over and of all the popular forces of our country, we give all the support and solidarity to President Xiomara Castro and the popular forces of Honduras in the face of this attempted coup d’état,” he said.
The dignitary emphasized that President Castro not only leads Honduras but also presides over the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), a fundamental body for the unity and independence of the region.
“No one should forget, at this time, that she is the president of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States,” said President Maduro. “This coup d’état that she denounces is against the government of the progressive and revolutionary forces of Honduras and is also against CELAC.”
Maduro warned about the external interests behind this coup attempt, pointing to the United States as promoters of destabilization in the region and noting that the main objective of this coup attempt is to weaken and destroy CELAC, as well as to divide Latin America and the Caribbean.
“The objective of the gringos is to destroy CELAC, divide all of Latin America and the Caribbean, and leave us without the instrument that we have for independence and unity that is the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States,” he said.
The Venezuelan president praised the response of the Honduran people and social movements, making special mention of the statements of former president Mel Zelaya, whom he considers a close friend.
“The response of the popular forces of Honduras is extraordinary,” stated President Maduro. “I have been following the statements of former President Mel Zelaya, whom I know very well and love very much, and they have truly been extraordinary.”
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/KW/SL
