According to the statement, the US operation, presented as part of the “war on drugs”, has Venezuelan natural resources as its real target. It characterises the operation as a flagrant violation of international law, the UN Charter and the sovereignty of peoples. The Committee denounces the stance of the European Union and the Greek government, which it accuses of supporting efforts to destabilise a legitimately elected government and impose foreign geopolitical and economic interests. It argues that US actions directly undermine the declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a “Zone of Peace” and contradict the region’s collective desire to live without threats, military intervention or blackmail.
The Committee further states that “those with a long history of exploiting the drug trade, arms trafficking and supporting paramilitary structures to advance foreign policy goals are the United States itself, through its mechanisms and especially the CIA”.
It expresses deep concern over what it describes as a US-led naval blockade of Venezuela, as well as extrajudicial killings and military operations by US forces in the Caribbean. These, it argues, violate international maritime law and fundamental human rights principles. The Committee calls for their immediate cessation and for an international investigation.
It reaffirms its solidarity with the people and government of Venezuela, as well as with the peoples of the Caribbean and Latin America who are defending what it describes as their right to peace, sovereignty and self-determination. It calls on social movements and progressive forces worldwide to oppose “this new imperialist attack” and to mobilise in defence of peace, justice and international solidarity.
The statement concludes: “Hands off Venezuela. No to imperialist interventions. Imperialism will be defeated again.”