Green Party Opposes U.S. Administration support in attempted Venezuelan coup

Green Party of the United States
www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
April 30, 2019

Contacts:
Gloria Mattera, Co-chair of the Green Party of the United States gmattera@gmail.com
Holly Hart, Co-chair, Media Committee media@gp.org 202-804-2758

The Green Party strongly opposes the U.S. administration’s support of an attempted military coup in Venezuela. According to the Associated Press, opposition leader and self-proclaimed President Juan Guaido launched a military coup attempt against the Nicolas Maduro government about 7:30 am (EDT) this morning. While details are scarce, the action appears to have only limited military support.

The Green Party joins with the United Nations in recognition of Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela.

The Green Party platform suppprts states that “the U.S. must recognize the sovereignty of nation-states and their right of self-determination.” The Green Party has called for a policy of non-intervention and for sanctions against Venezuela to be lifted.

The Green Party opposes the ongoing U.S. foreign policy of “regime change” that has been a characteristic of both Republican and Democratic administrations.

A new report shows that as many as 40,000 civilians have died in Venezuela since 2017 as a result of the sanctions.

On high alert in Washington, D.C. are the Embassy Protection Collective. In early April, with permission of the Venezuelan Government, a number of local residents moved into the Venezuelan Embassy to prevent occupation by Guaido supporters.

It would be illegal under international law for the U.S. to facilitate control of the embassy to opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has asserted a claim to the office.

Shortly after the military coup began in Caracas, the Embassy Protection Collective posted the following on Social Media:

“We are on alert and urging people to join us. There has been an increase in undercovers around the embassy.

“No matter how coup turns out we are at greater risk. It looks like it is failing in Caracas but to early to be definitive. If it fails they may want a victory by taking this embassy.

“We expect opposition protesters today and tomorrow.”

There are numerous Green Party members and supporters among those protecting the Venezuelan Embassy, including Kevin Zeese of Popular Resistance and Green Party of the U.S. National Committee Co-chair Dr. Margaret Flowers. Medea Benjamin of CodePink, a 2000 Green Party candidate for US Senate in California, is also present.

For more information:

Green Party of the U.S. “Hands Off Venezuela”
https://www.gp.org/venezuela

Statement of the Embassy Protection Collective https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hPLQZX36BlxL7B1PKqVxxKnfu2Cdlus4w3ftBlyNYaY/edit

Embassy Protection Collective Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/ColectivosporlaPaz/

U.S. Places Sanctions on Venezuela’s Foreign Minister
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-places-sanctions-on-venezuelas-foreign-minister-11556314552

Additional Information
Green New Deal | News Stream

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191
@GreenPartyUS

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