In response to the United States’ policy of aggression against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, LEFÖ condemns the historical and current military intervention by the United States on Venezuelan territory.
Many of the objectives behind this aggression can be attributed to the Trump 2.0 administration, whether it is the appropriation of Venezuela’s oil and natural resources, the symbolic politics of power and spectacle pursued by the US administration, particularly in relation to other regional powers such as Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, or the enforcement of regional spheres of influence. At the same time, it is important to recognize that Venezuela is the country with the world’s largest proven oil and gas reserves.
These unlawful destabilization strategies and military attacks by the United States violate the principles of Venezuela’s self-determination and sovereignty under international law. They contribute to the worsening of living conditions, as well as to the loss of sovereignty and control over the country’s own natural resources.
Such interventions are not new in the region; nevertheless, they deserve our unequivocal rejection. It is essential to remember that the history of Latin America clearly demonstrates that external military interventions rarely lead to democratic stability. Instead, they frequently create new forms of violence, dependency, and suffering, particularly affecting women and other marginalized groups.
Based on our experience providing counselling to women from Venezuela, we know that crimes against the civilian population have been committed in this country. We are also aware that Venezuelan society has lived (and continues to live) under an authoritarian regime that has responded repressively to criticism of its democratic legitimacy. However, imperialist interventions must be clearly rejected.
The loss of democratic structures within a state does not constitute a justification under international law for military intervention, for the appropriation or control of natural resources, or for the installation of state authorities primarily accountable to foreign interests.
Such actions contradict fundamental principles of international law. We do not support a world order that oppresses peoples in order to enrich itself, leaving behind poverty, climate disasters, and death.
Furthermore, it appears particularly bitter and deeply ironic when a state that presents itself internationally as a defender of liberal principles of governance and as a promoter of democracy simultaneously invades other states militarily, exercises state functions within them, or secures access to natural resources while disregarding international legal norms.
USA out of Latin America! No silence in the face of violence against our peoples!