The TUCA calls for respect for the Sovereignty and Self-determination of Venezuela

January 23, 2019

The Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA), which represents more than 55 million
workers in the continent, expresses the following in respect of the new threats and imminent
conflict in Venezuela:
We condemn the unilateral decision adopted today January 23, by a group of governments of the
region, notoriously led by the USA, to ignore the legitimacy of the government of President Maduro
and to recognize the self-proclaimed “president of the transition”, representative Juan Guaidó,
president of the National Assembly, who seized such investiture without the recognition of the
other branches of government, violating the national constitution and usurping powers.
The support of this group of conservative governments and of the Secretary General of the OAS,
Luis Almagro, as well as their attempt to impose this support internationally, is a grave act of
interference and intervention in the internal affairs of a sovereign country, setting back the region
to times we thought belonged to the past, in which coups d’état and military dictatorships were
stimulated. Such an approach may lead to new acts of violence in Venezuela and submerge the
entire region in a conflict with unpredictable negative consequences.
We call on the responsibility of the governments and democratic institutions of the region and the
world to avoid deepening the critical scenario of political, economic and social deterioration that
Venezuela is experiencing. Both the government and the democratic opposition urgently need to
relinquish their attitude of confrontation and embark on a path of effective dialogue and
understanding, with the support of the international community. We support the UN call for all
relevant actors to commit to inclusive and credible political negotiations to address the challenges
that the country is facing. The TUCA is willing to join these efforts and summons the international
trade union movement to provide their solidarity to the quest for a solution based on peace,
democracy and sovereignty, in favor of wellbeing and respect for the rights of the Venezuelan
people.
Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA)