Hugo Chavez Foundation asks Prime Minister Trudeau to let the Venezuelan people live in peace

TORONTO, Oct. 26, 2017 /CNW/ - As concerned Canadians, we call on the Trudeau Government to stop interfering in Venezuela's sovereign affairs. Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated, "Canada has taken a leadership role in addressing the crisis in Venezuela," and announced that Canada will host the third ministerial meeting of the so called "Lima Group", in Toronto, on October 26, 2017. History has taught us that such actions are a pretext for foreign military intervention, regime change and looting of natural resources.

On October 15, Venezuelans went to polls for the second vote this year, this time to elect Regional Governors. The outcome, recognized by observers and the majority of the opposition leaders, was a resounding victory for the governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela in 18 of 23 states.

Earlier this year, 8 million Venezuelans voted for a constituent assembly to rewrite the country's constitution. This unique mechanism enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of that nation may be difficult to understand for a country that does not have a constitution and does not afford its population a direct role in remaking its laws. For Venezuelans, it is a right they approved almost 20 years ago.

These events happened on the heels of violent, opposition-led protests that claimed the lives of over 100 Venezuelans - including assassinations of police and social leaders - and injured hundreds more.

Despite these events, Canada has issued dozens of statements against the Venezuelan government and in support of the country's opposition leaders. Now, Canada has issued a visa to the former Attorney General of Venezuela, Luisa Ortega, who is currently wanted in Venezuelan to face charges related to corruption and extortion.

We call on our Government to respect Venezuela's sovereignty and not follow the Trump's interventionist agenda. Canada should devote its energy to strengthening the social fabric against racism and all forms of oppression, as well as to fostering respectful relations with other nations in these delicate and hostile times.

Mr. Trudeau, Canada has many issues yet to be resolved. Many people in this country don't want to be involved nor be accomplices of interference against another country and people.

SOURCE Hugo Chavez Foundation

MEDIA CONTACT: Manuel Luna, Phone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected], www.venezuelasolidarity.ca