VENVIFA in solidarity with President Nicolas Maduro Moros, people of Venezuela

ON JANUARY 10, 2019, Nicolas Maduro Moros was sworn in as the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, for the six-year 2019-2025 period in keeping with the Venezuelan constitution.

In the presidential election of May 20,2018 when 9,389,056 Venezuelans voted, Maduro received the support of 5,823,728 Venezuelans, 67.8 per cent of the votes. Importantly, there were four presidential candidates representing more than 50 political parties/ movements many of whom combined to offer a single candidate.

Significantly, that presidential election was the 24th election held in the 20 years (1998-2018) since Hugo Chavez first won his election, for various positions in the Venezuelan government. Beginning in 2004, 19 elections have been held under an automated electronic voting system, using the voter’s fingerprint, which eliminated electoral fraud and theft of votes. The Venezuelan voting system is considered to be the most transparent, reliable and safe in the world.

Despite Maduro’s overwhelming victory (2/3rd of the electorate), in keeping with the nation’s constitution (1/3rd of its 350 causes devoted to the rights of citizens), some countries, including St Lucia, following the orders of US President Donald Trump, are refusing its recognition, and are waging a political, diplomatic, economic and propagandistic campaign against President Maduro and the progressive PSUV Government. The aim of their campaign is the overthrow of Venezuela’s legitimate Government so that international and local capitalist companies can once again plunder the enormous oil, mineral and other resources as they did prior to the ascension to power of Hugo Chavez.

We, in the Venezuelan- Vincentian Friendship Association (VENVIFA), are cognizant of the real motive of the anti-Maduro campaigners — the rape of Venezuela’s resources in the interest of a handful of exploiters. We remain steadfast in our support of the socialist programme of President Maduro and his government in the interest of the majority. We salute President Maduro and pledge our solidarity over his upcoming term-of-office!

Mike Browne President VENVIFA