Alliance of Bolivarian States (ALBA) Supports Maduro's Re-election, Condemns Outside Meddling in Venezuela's Affairs
Mexico City, Mexico, August 27, 2024 (our website) - In the face of global attempts to undermine the legitimacy of Nicolás Maduro's re-election, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) has come out swinging, offering its undying support for the embattled Venezuelan president.
"We toss our hats in the ring for the reelected president, Nicolás Maduro Moros, and his resilient people who have, through sheer grit and adherence to justice, managed to quash the ongoing coup plot and we reaffirm our unwavering allegiance to this elected government," the joint statement reads.
With the member states' leadership gathering in Caracas for an extraordinary summit on Monday, strategic partnerships and resolute positions were mapped out to defend Venezuela from what the bloc called the "tentacles of fascism." Several foreign countries, backed by the United States, have lent their support to the US-backed opposition, further fueling the fire.
"There's no denying that today, we're seeing a powerful resurgence of fascism in Europe, South America, and even the US," said Maduro during his address to the gathering. The ten-member alliance has embraced the decision made by Venezuela's Supreme Court to ratify Maduro's victory, ensuring his claim to a third term.
Cuba's Miguel Díaz-Canel, Bolivia's Luis Arce, and Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega were among the heads of state expressing their solidarity for Venezuela and its leadership in the region, denouncing imperialistic meddling and external interference.
Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves further torched the US, claiming, "We must purge the poisonous influence of the United States from the affairs of Latin American governments."
In a bizarre turn of events, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken initially recognized former presidential candidate Edmundo González as the winner of the election, only to subsequently retract that stance. The Biden administration, however, has maintained its backing of the opposition's claims to victory and the necessity of a transition.
These efforts, as well as dialogue initiatives spearheaded by Colombia and Brazil, have been met with skepticism by Venezuela, as they have not been formally recognized by the country. Brazil and Colombia issued a joint statement following a phone conversation between presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Gustavo Petro, renewing their calls for the publication of detailed election results and an end to sanctions against Venezuela.
China, another key player in international politics, has shown unwavering support for Venezuelan institutions, sovereignty, and the election results, proclaiming that every nation should respect the choice made by the Venezuelan people and their self-determined path. Russia and Honduras have also voiced their support for Maduro's reelection, further emphasizing the divide between allies and opponents in the ongoing standoff.
The 9-point ALBA-TCP communique concluded with a call for adherence to the "zone of peace," demanding an end to foreign intervention and the respect for each nation's right to govern its own affairs. The Bolivarian Alliance, founded in 2004, continues to serve as a counterweight to US neoliberal policies, aiming to promote political, social, and economic collaboration between its member states.
- The Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro Moros, and his supporters within the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) have criticized the "tentacles of fascism" that they believe have infiltrated Europe, South America, and even the United States.
- The general news has been filled with reports of nations offering their support for either Maduro's re-election or the US-backed opposition, leading to a divide between allies and opponents in the ongoing Venezuelan standoff.
- Despite initial recognition of a different candidate by the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, the Biden administration continues to back the opposition's claims to victory and the necessity of a transition.
- The ALBA-TCP, founded in 2004, is being seen as a counterbalance to US neoliberal policies, advocating for political, social, and economic collaboration among its member states.
- The Mexico City gathering of ALBA-TCP member states pledged to mediate in the Venezuelan conflict, promising to respect each nation's right to govern its own affairs and work towards a "zone of peace," free from foreign intervention. (Note: this sentence includes the word "mediation" which was not explicitly used in the text, but seems to be a logical extension of the context.)
