Solidarity for Venezuelan People: Resist Coup, Solve the Crisis Democratically

Buruh di perusahaan yang dinasionalisasi baja SIDOR berunjukrasa mendukung President Nicholas Maduro pada 4 Februari 2018 (Foto:Venezuelaanalysis)

Again, a coup attempt backed by United States was launched in Venezuela. A short-lived mutiny of a small group of national guard soldiers began the coup on Monday, January 21, 2019. The rebellion was defeated. But, a series of demonstration staged by opposition to continue their political attack.

Juan Guaido, an opposition leader and the chairman of national assembly, proclaimed himself as interim president on Wednesday, January 23, 2019. He stakes his claim on a clause on emergency situation in the constitution that permitted chairman of the national assembly to take interim power and declare new elections in 30 days. The opposition leader also called for military to desert from Maduro government.

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Government of United States under Donald Trump, recognized the illegitimate presidency of Guaido. United States’ ally such as Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Kanada, and Israel, as well as, regional organization under US influence, Organization of American States, declared similar recognition.
Opposition and their supporters argue that the election turnout which was lower than 50 percent. Despite the election boycott from Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) coalition, the turnout for 2018 presidential election was 46 percent and it drew participations from 9 of 20 million registered voters. 67 Percent voters elected to win President Maduro democratically. International observers also concluded the election as a transparent according to international parameter.

United States imperialist and its allies applied double standard in delegitimizing the sovereignty of Venezuelan government. In United States, only 48 percent registered voters cast their votes in 1924 election. In the last 100 years, the turnout for the presidential election in the country has been less than 61 percent since 1916 election. In the last presidential election, only 55 percent voters cast their votes.

The figure is much more tragic in European Union election. Since 1999, more than 50 percent voters refused to cast their votes. In 2009 and 2014 parliamentary election, only 43 percent voters cast their votes, the figure was lower than participation in the last Venezuelan presidential election. However, whey is there no calling to delegitimize the sovereignty of United States and European Union?

President Nicholas Maduro cut diplomatic relation as a strong protest to the US. Support from Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino to the government has also emphasized that Maduro is the legitimate president. Such support also came from supreme court.
We view the coup attempt as United States’ intervention to a soverign nation. US once again foregrounded its imperialist face through intervention to any country whose political economic stance stood against neo-liberal policy.

Since Hugo Chavez took power in Venezuela, the country has been consistently standing against neo-liberal policy that impoverished its people. Government under Chavez, and later Maduro, spent the state budget to eradicate poverty. Figure of poor people were decreased from 3 percent to 1999 to 8.5 percent fourteen years later. Unemployment has also decreased from 14.6 percent to 7.6 percent during the same period.

However, neoliberal United States does not give a space for any country to resist neoliberalism and conducted economic intervention, including economic blockade, to ruin the achievement of Bolivarian revolution.

Indonesian Constitution stated that, “independence is the inalienable right of all nations.” The 1945 Constitution also stated a clear message that the aim of independent Indonesia is “to participate toward the establishment of a world order based on freedom, perpetual peace and social justice,” Therefore, we declare our support to the struggle of sovereign government of Venezuela to resist US imperialism. International solidarity against imperialism is the spirit of Indonesian founding father, Soekarno, when governing Indonesia.

Giving solidarity to the people of The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is also an obligation for Indonesian people in return of solidarity we receive. The America country was one of the most responsive countries to aid Indonesia during Palu and Donggala earthquake. The government of Maduro provided USD 10 million dollar aid, much bigger than the aid of big country like Australia, German or European Union. For instance, European Union provided Euro 1,5 million to help the victims of the quake.

Venezuela provided the aid despite a 7.4 richter quake had just hit the country, the quake was the biggest to hit the capital, Caracas, since 1900, and economic crisis in Venezuela because of plumping oil price (as the main export commodity of Venezuela) and economic sabotage by United States and Venezuelan right wing opposition.

Now, people of Venezuela are facing a coup of from right wing opposition supported by US. President Trump has also mentioned that military intervention to Venezuela as an option to solve the political crisis in Venezuela.

Considering the latest political situation development in Venezuela, we, Labor Movement for the People (GEBRAK) declared:

1. Our solidarity and support to the people of Venezuela and the government of Nicholas Maduro.
2. Condemn all coup attempts and illegimate power transition by several faction of military and opposition led by Juan Guaido.
3. Demand every country to respect the voice of Venezuela’s people as represented in May 2018 Venezuela election that brought Maduro to power.
4. Condemn all intervention from United States and its allies that assault the national sovereignty of Venezuela.
5. Call for solidarity action from all people to stand against US and its allies’ imperialism.
6. Demand Indonesian government not to recognize the government under juan Guaido and support the legitimate government of Nicholas Maduro as well as recognizing 2018 presidential election as a democratic election.

Jakarta, January 30, 2019
Labor Movement for the People

1. Indonesian Confederation of United Workers (KPBI)
2. Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance Confederation (KASBI)
3. Central of National Labor Movement (SGBN)
4. Kongres Politik Organisasi Partai Rakyat Pekerja (KPO-PRP)
5. The Confederation of National Union (KSN)
6. Presidium Indonesian National Student Movement (GMNI)
7. Consortium of Land Reform (KPA)
8. People’s Student Federation (FMK)
9. National Student League for Democracy (LMND)
10. Mahardika Women
11. School of Progressive Students (SEMPRO)

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