BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA
MINISTRY OF THE PEOPLE’S POWER FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS

COMMUNIQUÉ

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela repudiates and protests the decision by the government of the United States of America, of imposing sanctions against Venezuela’s Head of State, Nicolás Maduro Moros, consummating a serious violation of International Law, and an infringement upon his human rights, constituting an unfriendly action against Venezuela. Likewise, it rejects the insolent and distempered remarks of the National Security Adviser to the White House, H.R. McMaster.

These sanctions constitute a retaliation against President Nicolas Maduro for having convened the electoral process of greatest magnitude in recent times in Venezuela, for deepening democracy and sovereignty through the activation of the original constituent power, for being a defender of the dignity of Latin America and the Caribbean, and for fiercely opposing white supremacy in the U.S. presidency and its Ku Klux Klan vindicating racism.

The Venezuelan people have given a historic lesson of heroism, determination, and courage, by defeating the siege, threats and violence unleashed by the Venezuelan right together with external support, to impede the exercise of the vote that elected the Constituents that will conduct the national life through a great constitutional dialogue and understanding, in the interest of national peace and independence. We have written a new page of glory in our history of freedom and self-determination.

The sanction imposed by the U.S. Department of Treasury against the Venezuelan Head of State and Government constitutes an ignominious disregard for international legality and has the intention of undermining the sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, today under siege by practices of intervention and destabilization of its governability, through the promotion of serious acts of violence and extremism for political ends.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, while expressing its gratitude towards the countries that conveyed their support and recognition to the constituent electoral process, categorically rejects the attempts by a few governments of undermining its results and joining the imperial sanctions, defying the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people and submissively serving foreign orders.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela demands respect for the Homeland of Bolívar and Chávez, while reaffirming its indeclinable and unwavering commitment to the defense of the highest patriotic values to preserve the peace, future and sovereignty of Venezuela.

Caracas, July 31, 2017