A panoramic view of the indigenous peoples march at Avenida Francisco de Miranda in Caracas, October 12, 2022. Photos: Twitter/@MINPIOFICIAL/@VillegasPoljak.
On Wednesday, October 12, celebrated in Venezuela as the Day of Indigenous Resistance, indigenous Venezuelans held a march in Caracas in condemnation of the economic blockade and the coercive measures promoted by the United States and the European Union against the people of Venezuela.
Indigenous peoples of different ethnic groups throughout the country commemorated 530 years of resistance, in recognition of the perseverance of the peoples, their struggle for dignity, and cultural and human diversity.
The Ministry for Indigenous Peoples posted on its Twitter account: “The cry of Indigenous Resistance runs through the Great Homeland in defense of the fundamental rights of the original peoples. We continue in battle and victory. Resisting, being reborn and revolutionizing.” The post also contains a video of the march in Caracas.
#GritoDeResistenciaIndigena recorre la Patria Grande en defensa de los derechos fundamentales de los Pueblos Originarios. Seguimos en batalla y victoria. Resistiendo, Renaciendo y Revolucionando. #12Oct @NicolasMaduro @CLARAVIDALV @ViceSocialT_ve pic.twitter.com/2Lu2wlM0ym
— Ministerio Indígena (@MINPIOFICIAL) October 12, 2022
As part of this commemoration, the caciques and indigenous authorities marched to the headquarters of the United Nations office in Caracas, located in Torre Parque Ávila, on Francisco de Miranda Avenue, and delivered a document in repudiation of the imperialist actions against Venezuela.
Cantos y bailes indígenas en manifestación contra el bloqueo de #EEUU a #Venezuela, realizada hoy frente a sede de la ONU en Chacao, #Caracas, a propósito del #DiaDeLaResistenciaIndigena.#GritoDeResistenciaIndigena pic.twitter.com/SjjzEfbA6q
— Ernesto Villegas Poljak (@VillegasPoljak) October 12, 2022
Voices of indigenous peoples against the blockade
Nicia Maldonado, a deputy of the Venezuelan National Assembly (AN), and a participant in the march, demanded, on behalf of the indigenous peoples, the end of the illegal measures of the US and its allies that have affected the quality of life of Venezuelans.
“We demand that the UN respect the united peoples, that there be no double standards. We have also come to support our President Nicolás Maduro, who has shown himself to be steadfast in defending the homeland,” she said.
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María Eloína Serrano, a member of the Yukpa ethnic group from Serranía de Perijá, pointed out that, after more than 500 years of struggle, “the indigenous peoples will not allow themselves to be defeated, because we are descendants of Guaicaipuro and the warriors. The United States will not defeat us.”
Serrano called upon the US authorities to withdraw all illegal sanctions imposed on the Venezuelan people.
Teresita González, spokeswoman for the Pemón people of Bolívar state, stressed that the coercive measures are affecting her people, “because we live far away, near the banks of the rivers.”
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“Our rights are guaranteed under the constitution [of Venezuela], but with their measures they impede our ability to enjoy our rights,” she added.
The marchers carried a giant Amalivaca through the streets of Caracas, who is known as the father of all people of Tamanacos and Moriches, as a form of vindication for the 530 years of indigenous resistance.
Un inmenso Amalivaca marcha junto a líderes indígenas para denunciar el bloqueo a #Venezuela como crimen de lesa humanidad, emparentado con los que se cometieron contra sus (nuestros) ancestros a partir del #12Oct de 1492. #DiaDeLaResistenciaIndigena #GritoDeResistenciaIndigena pic.twitter.com/AFhVVrF67h
— Ernesto Villegas Poljak (@VillegasPoljak) October 12, 2022
Indigenous peoples: dignity and patriotism
Regarding the celebration of the Day of Indigenous Resistance on October 12, the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, recognized the role of the indigenous peoples in defending the dignity of the country.
The president wrote in a Twitter post, “We commemorate the Day of Indigenous Resistance as a recognition of the role of the indigenous peoples who have defended these lands with dignity. We support them, and we reject the manipulated version of history in which colonial barbarism has been whitewashed.”
Conmemoramos el Día de la Resistencia Indígena, como un reconocimiento al valor de los Pueblos Originarios que defendieron estas tierras con dignidad. Los apoyamos, y rechazamos la versión manipulada de la historia con la que se ha pretendido encubrir la barbarie colonial. pic.twitter.com/hov8bRN4R5
— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) October 12, 2022
In another message on Twitter, he wrote, “Ana karina roté, aunicon paparoto mantoro itoto manto! With this cry of ancestral strength and rebellion, we renew our commitment and defense of the dignity of the indigenous peoples. We are a people in constant resistance against colonialism.”
“¡Ana Karina Rote, aunicon paparoto mantoro itoto manto!” Con este grito cargado de fuerza ancestral y rebeldía, renovamos el compromiso y la defensa de la dignidad de los pueblos originarios. Somos un Pueblo en resistencia permanente que lucha contra el colonialismo.
— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) October 12, 2022
The Venezuelan president also highlighted the creation of the Guaicaipuro Mission, 19 years ago, “as part of the policy of the Venezuelan state to guarantee the rights of the indigenous peoples, enshrined in the constitution. Congratulations to those who lead this mission, inspired by the heroism of the indomitable Cacique Guaicaipuro.”
La Misión Guaicaipuro nació hace 19 años, como parte de la política del Estado venezolano para garantizar los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas, consagrados en la Constitución. Felicidades a los que conducen esta Misión, inspirados por el heroísmo del indómito Cacique Guaicaipuro pic.twitter.com/IhA6nEAm67
— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) October 12, 2022
(Últimas Noticias) by Janna Corredor
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/DD/SC
