Message to the Bolivarian People
The participants in the 12th gathering of the Network of Intellectuals, Artists and Social movements “In Defense of Humanity” have come to Caracas, at a crucial moment, to show our unconditional solidarity with the Government and the Bolivarian people in the battle they are waging against the onslaught of the local oligarchy and the Empire.
In December of 2015 the Bolivarian Revolution, that so often has demonstrated its faithfulness to its democratic traditions, was confronted with an electoral process that was being hijacked through foreign interference, political subversion, paramilitary activity, psychological coercion and a national and international media siege. This situation was aggravated by the global crisis and the induced collapse of oil prices. On top of that the Venezuelan population went to vote right after the Empire had issued a decree that qualified Venezuela as an “unusual and extraordinary” threat to the national security of the United States. There have been few times in the history of elections where the right of a citizenry was placed under so much pressure.
Now they are planning to overthrow the Government of President Nicolás Maduro Moros who was legitimately elected by the people. Their plan is the annihilation of the entire noble project of independence, emancipation and justice carried out by the Commander Hugo Chávez Frías and inspired by the ideals of the liberator Simón Bolívar.
It was revolutionary Venezuela that for the first time distributed the wealth of oil income for the benefit of the majority. They maintained these social policies in favor of the poor despite facing extreme adversities and serious obstacles along the way.
The government of Maduro has undertaken complex tasks to solve the country’s problems and has managed to preserve peace and stability. It has worked in bringing together the Bolivarian and patriotic forces under a civic-military union consistent with the nation’s libertarian history. It also continues to engage in the relentless fight against corruption and the bureaucracy while strengthening the communities and recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples and people of African descent.
The social missions undertaken have become a universal example of how much can be done for the majority when the wealth is distributed through humanist concepts and solidarity that characterized the thinking and practice of Chávez.
Members of the Network of Intellectuals, Artists and Social Movements “In Defense of Humanity” demand the immediate repeal of the infamous Decree of the U.S. Government against Venezuela, a country that is an example of hope. We condemn the harassment of the reactionary forces and the censorship to silence the dignified voice of Telesur. We reject the laws like the rightfully called “criminal amnesia” or “auto-forgiveness” created to free those who committed deadly criminal actions that continue to bring pain and misery to many Venezuelan families. These bills would be tantamount to legalizing political murder.
We salute the Congress of the Homeland as an exceptional opportunity to forge the unity of all Venezuelans who love their nation and do not accept returning to the past of injustice, inequality and contempt. Like the Bolivarian People we will never forget the last song that the Commander Chávez sang in public, “Dear Homeland”.
You can always count with us and with the loyalty of the dignified people of the world who do not fall for the lies of the media machinery in the service of the reaction. You are not now, nor will you ever be alone.
“¡We will live!!! We will overcome!!!
Caracas, April 11, 2016
Network of Intellectuals, Artists and Social Movements in Defense of Humanity