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International Law Must Be Observed in Latin America -Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney

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International Law Must Be Observed in Latin America -Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney INTERNATIONAL June 2019 ✪ LATIN AMERICAN BULLETIN ✪ International law must be observed in Latin America -Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney THE Sinn BY “The crisis in Venezuela should “The rest of the international community Féin National DECLAN be a cause of grave concern for the also has a duty to act responsibly. Chairperson, KEARNEY international community. “The current negotiations initiative Declan Kearney Sinn Féin “Domestic political divisions, sponsored by the Norwegian government MLA, has National disagreements and instability within in Oslo between the Venezuelan Chairperson called on the Venezuela should be resolved through government and opposition is a very international proper dialogue and negotiation. positive and significant development community “Positive calls have been made for and should be supported by all within to assist in the resolution of the ongoing dialogue between all sides by the UN. the international community who are crisis in Venezuela. “Earlier this year, the Mexican, Uruguayan committed to helping to achieve a Welcoming the latest negotiations and Bolivian governments sought to play a negotiated democratic settlement in initiative taken by the Norwegian constructive role in helping to facilitate a Venezuela. government, Mr Kearney said: negotiated process without preconditions. “International law must be observed.” @SFIntDept www.sinnfein.ie @sinnfeininternational INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN PAGE 2 Hugo Ramos Milanés OPINION Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in Ireland Latin America united, like silver at the core of the Andes IN LATIN America and the and peaceful conflict resolution for destabilizing legitimate Caribbean, perhaps in like no as reflected in the Montevideo governments, justifying other region over the last 20 Mechanism, activated with the interference in domestic affairs years, two contradictory positions mediation of Mexico, Uruguay, and imposing different political have been in conflict over the way Bolivia and other members of the regimes. to administer the resources of Caribbean Community (Caricom) We hold Caribbean people in the region for the benefit of our to safeguard peace in Venezuela. our hearts, not only in the face of peoples. We condemn the application climate adversity but also in the On one hand, regional of unilateral coercive measures face of discriminatory restrictions oligarchies, international contrary to the Purposes and to access international aid corporations and imperialist Principles of the Charter of the and finance. The demand for forces have attempted to United Nations and international compensation to be given to implement neoliberal policies law. These measures, repeatedly the Caribbean people for the which have been unable to rejected by UN General Assembly genocide of the indigenous address inequality, poverty resolutions, violate the freedom population, and the atrocities of and underdevelopment issues of trade and navigation, they the slave trade, is only fair. of this region. Our cities are threaten international peace and Haiti, the first nation to falsely portrayed as beautiful security, and interfere with the achieve independence within this European cities full of luxurious enjoyment of other human rights. region, has been abandoned to mansions and skyscrapers. The international community it’s fate after being devastated Beyond this depiction, slums, Hugo Ramos Milanés, Ambas- has repeatedly called for the by earthquakes, hurricanes unemployment, lack of health sador of the Republic of Cuba United States to lift the economic, and epidemic outbreaks. No care and education and food in Ireland. commercial and financial international aid or major poverty are a consequence of blockade on Cuba. This blockade investment pledged to regenerate both, public expenditure cuts and politically-motivated judicial is a flagrant and systematic the country ever materialized. privatizations. process, he has already been violation of human rights of the This constitutes clear evidence of On the other hand, progressive imprisoned. Nicolás Maduro and Cuban people. Moreover, the the double standards inherent in forces, along with their Daniel Ortega have been branded decision of the US government to some diplomatic services. leadership, have stepped in to dictators, not to mention the activate Title III of the Helms- Cuba has reaffirmed its nationalize significant natural endless onslaught on the late Burton Act to reinforce the commitment to peace and resources and essential services Fidel and his brother Raul Castro. extraterritorial jurisdiction of the cooperation and stressed the for the benefit of the people. As Despite this, Fidel’s worldwide blockade on Cuba is unacceptable need to reinforce the Community a result, millions have escaped recognition and political and has also fuelled opposition. of Latin American and Caribbean food poverty, unemployment, influence remain as strong as his This decision will result in further States (CELAC), a mechanism for and lack of education and undefeated legacy. deterioration of international regional political consultation housing. Health services have In spite of the Proclamation of economic and trade relations which strictly adheres to reached millions of people, Latin America and the Caribbean between Cuba and other states. International Law. CELAC including isolated indigenous region as a Peace Area by their Although I hesitated whether advocates for peaceful resolution communities that we need to Heads of State and Government or not to mention a discredited of conflicts, self-determination, protect. These communities in the Second Summit of the organization like the OAS, I territorial integrity and inhabit jungles that are strategic Community of Latin American cannot fail to denounce the fact sovereignty whilst rejecting the reserves of biodiversity which are and Caribbean States (CELAC – that it’s General Secretary has use of force and interference endangered by the devastating Havana, 2014), the escalation of betrayed Our America’s highest in the domestic affairs of effects of profit-seeking aggression against Our America ideals. He has knelt before those independent nations. multinational corporations. is extremely concerning. Actions intending to reinstate the Monroe We extend our profound These progressive forces have such as the threat of force Doctrine, an old expression of the gratitude to all those, in Europe resisted internal and external against Venezuela represent a USA’s imperialist ambition over and elsewhere in the world, who aggression, and attempts to threat to our peace and security America that represents the most raise their voices in solidarity destabilize our legitimately and contribute to destabilizing serious threat to peace in the with the peoples of Latin elected governments, time and the region. hemisphere. America and the Caribbean. The again. We advocate for non- Bogus human rights concerns struggle to achieve the vision of Even if Lula’s alleged crime is intervention in internal affairs, are being used selectively for independence, held dear by our yet to be proven in an ongoing sovereign equality of States political reasons as a pretext national heroes, goes on. Title taken from the essay of Jose Martí “Our America” (1/1/1891) “It is time to get together and march in close ranks, like silver at the core of the Andes […]” @SFIntDept www.sinnfein.ie @sinnfeininternational INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN PAGE 3 Rocío Maneiro OPINION Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Ireland Rocío Maneiro, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Ireland Venezuela will withstand attacks on its sovereignty “There have been already four sessions of the United Nations Security Council dedicated to Venezuela, and while all this is happening, systematic violation of International Law and attacks on the country are taking place...” SINCE 2015, when former US President oil, and obstructed the operations of the At this very moment Venezuela is being Barack Obama presented Venezuela to the Venezuelan Central Bank (BCV), specifically aired permanently, not only in the media International Community as “an unusual its dollar accounts abroad, the country has and political statements, but in the United and extraordinary threat to the national lost an estimated $30 billion. If we count Nations, as if it were a threat to world security and foreign policy of the United the losses since 2015 up to now, they rocket peace. There have been already four States”, Venezuela is under siege. A set of to $130 billion. sessions of the United Nations Security unilateral coercive measures are breaking Alongside this strategy, International Council dedicated to Venezuela, and while down the social and economic functioning Law is suffering greatly. In order to destroy all this is happening, systematic violation of the country and the capacity of the State Bolivarian Venezuela, the US is destroying of International Law and attacks on the to control its energy and financial assets the law that rules the international country are taking place, as the blockade abroad. community and these principles, embedded continues non-stop, along with threats of This blockade is escalating in the in the United Nations Charter: non- military intervention. face of the international community. intervention in internal affairs, equality The Venezuelan People do not accept From January - May 2019, because of US among states before the International Law, threats. On the contrary, history shows that President Trump’s
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