Newsletter 14

Vol. 4: Issue 14, 23rd April, 2018

Bolivarian Government of Venezuela

Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs

Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Newsletter Weekly

What’s inside

Venezuelan Presidential Elections Tweeteing all over the world in support of the candidate of the Broad Front of the fatherland Nicolas Maduro

Venezuelan Presidential Elections The United States presents ‘Human Rights’ report -Spain and Venezuela begin process of normalization of diplomatic relations Declaration of the High Representative of the European Union about Venezuela The Republic of Cuba hold Democratic Elections Syria commemorates 72nd Anniversary

Inside Africa:

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting- London 2018

Everyone with

Political personalities, organizations and social movements are supporting the current president and candidate Nicolas Maduro for the May 20 elections.

Venezuelan political parties announced Sunday the realization of a global Twitter campaign in support of the current president and presidential candidate Nicolas Maduro, as part of kicking off of campaigning for the upcoming elections of May 20.

The messages that bear the hashtag #TodosConMaduro, on the social network Twitter, seek to encourage political personalities, organizations and social movements, young people and individuals to support the Frente Amplio de la Patria candidate.

President Maduro has the support of a dozen parties, among which is his political organization the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), the Communist Party of Venezuela, the Somos Venezuela (We Are Venezuela) movement, Patria Para Todos (Homeland for All), among others.

In the election, the current president will face Henri Falcon, of Progressive Advance party, Movement to the Socialism (MAS) and Committee of Independent Electoral Political Organization (Copei), Javier Bertucci, of the group of voters Hope for the Change, Reinaldo Quijada, of UPP89, and independent Luis Alejandro Ratti. www.telesurtv.net

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The United States presents ‘Human Rights’ report While the United States administration claims to be the champion for human rights and to have a vibrant civil society,strong constitutional protections for many civil and political rights, it is the greatest hypocrite in the world, many US laws and practices, particularly in the areas of criminal and juvenile justice, immigration, and national security, violate internationally recognized human rights. Often, those least able to defend their rights in court or through the political process—members of racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, children, the poor, and prisoners—are the people who mostly suffer abuses The Government of Venezuela denounced a Country Report on the Human Rights Practice 2017 issued by the U.S. Department of State, which accused the country of human rights violations.

Chancellor Jorge Arreaza said "the manipulation of the United States of America's regime on the subject of human rights with the sole objective of promoting the campaign of aggression and delegitimization of the national powers to justify its policy of 'change of government'." The Venezuelan government released the statement saying the allegations against Venezuela are recurring and routine.

The government of the United States promotes genocidal wars and supports ruthless conflicts for economic and geopolitical interests, in which civilian populations suffered the full violation of all their human rights. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, once more, denounces before the international community, the manipulation of the United States regime of the human rights issue, for the sole purpose of promoting campaigns of aggression and national authorities de-legitimization, thus justifying its “change-of-governmentoriented” policies.

Venezuela categorically rejects the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2017, issued by the United States Department of State, as well as the practice that intends to qualify other countries and use the human rights issue for political purposes, in order to make progresses in their imperial interests. The U.S. supremacist and xenophobic regime lacks of any moral or legal authority for acting as a judge in defense of the peoples’ human rights, since its own international and national practices show it as one of the main violators of human rights in the history.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirms, before the world, its unwavering commitment to the promotion, protection, respect and comprehensive defense of the human rights. www.telesurtv.net www.iranian.com www.mppre.gob.ve

Spain and Venezuela begin process of normalization of diplomatic relations The Kingdom of Spain through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela through the Ministry of People's Power for Foreign Affairs, have agreed to begin a process of normalization of diplomatic relations for the benefit of its citizens, who are united by close links that must be preserved.

To this end, they have agreed on the return of their Ambassadors to the respective countries in the coming days, in order to restore channels of diplomatic dialogue between the two governments, within the framework of mutual respect and International Law. www.mppre.gob.ve

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Declaration of the High Representative of the European Union about Venezuela The European Union said it could impose further sanctions on Venezuela if it believes democracy is being undermined there, after the South American country’s president called for elections next month that the main opposition has said it will boycott.

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement she regretted the way the authorities under President Nicolas Maduro had called the 20 May presidential elections without a consensus on the “conditions for a credible and inclusive electoral process.”

The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela strongly rejects the statement by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, on behalf of the European Union, issued on April 19th, 2018, which clearly violates the most basic principles of international law and the provisions of respect for sovereignty, self-determination of peoples and noninterference in the internal affairs of the States, established in the Charter of the United Nations.

With this kind of positions, the European Union and its member States demonstrate, once more, their regrettable subordination to the instructions of the government of the United States of America.

These actions represent an aggression against the Venezuelan people and the Venezuelan State and its legitimate and sovereign institutions. It is important to remind to the High Representative that the Venezuelan electoral system is one of the greatest strengths of our democracy, an example of the people progress for consolidating their right to choose in peace and without any interference from a nation or foreign power.

The Venezuelan Electoral Authority is a fundamental pillar of the Venezuelan homeland. Its efficiency and transparency has been recognized worldwide and serves as a reference for many democratic nations, including States of the European Union. As it has been publicly known and published in the media, the Electoral Authority invited international observers, especially from the European Union, without any limitation, for the purpose that they can attest to the transparency of the electoral process that some intend to question before its realization. Despite the statements of the High Representative, the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela and the electoral authorities reiterate the invitation sent to the High Representative for participating as an international observer of the electoral process to be held on next May 20th, as it was directly informed to her during the meeting in her office in Brussels on April 11th with the Minister for Foreign Relations, Jorge Arreaza. Likewise, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister urged

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the High Representative to undertake the corresponding and appropriate procedures in order to unblock the funds and transactions of the Venezuelan State by the European financial institutions, as a sign of independence in light of the evident submission to the unilateral and illegal coercive measures issued by the Donald Trump’s administration against the economy and people of Venezuela.

Venezuela will always be willing to initiate a constructive dialogue with the European Union and its member States, based on mutual respect and treatment among equals, as the President Nicolas Maduro has shown in recent days by proposing and concretizing the normalization of diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Spain.

April 19th, date in which we celebrate the beginning of the firm determination of the Venezuelan people to be free and independent, we reaffirm the ideas of the Liberator, Simon Bolivar, who in a message addressed to the delegates of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama, urged to resist all intervention in the internal affairs of the Latin American nations. No imperial vestige, nation, group of countries, or organizations of any kind, can intervene or prejudice our independence and our unwavering course of freedom, peace and democratic coexistence. www.mppre.gob.ve www.euractiv.com The views and opinions expressed in these articles are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Embassy

The Republic of Cuba hold Democratic Elections

Cuba's President Raul Castro, center left, enters the National Assembly followed by his successor Miguel Diaz-Canel, center right, for the start of two-day legislative session in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

The Cuban assembly selected Mr. Miguel Diaz the 57-year-old First Vice President as the sole candidate to succeed Castro, in a transition aimed at ensuring that the country's single-party system outlasts the aging revolutionaries who created it.

The 57-year-old Miguel Diaz-Canel replaced Raul Castro as the president of Cuba on the 19th April 2018, launching a new political era as a government led by a single family for six decades tries to ensure the long-term survival of one of the world's last communist states. The National Assembly announced that Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez had been approved as the sole candidate for president.

and in Our America, promoting respect for international law, and fostering regional integration processes, by expanding solidarity, knowledge and equality among the peoples of the world. Comrade Raul Castro has more than fulfilled the enormous responsibility entrusted by the Cuban people to receive the baton from Commander Fidel Castro, performing with wisdom, loyalty and courage; as he did in all the tasks that history placed before him, as a combatant of a thousand battles with Fidel, since July 26, the Granma and the Sierra Maestra, with the triumph of the Revolution, for almost six decades of anti-imperialist resistance and comprehensive progress of the Cuban people.

During the recent years, Presidents Raul Castro and Nicolas Maduro, strengthened the solidarity-based and impregnable union between Cuba and Venezuela, as well as the consolidation and strengthening of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA-TCP) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), honoring the strategic vision and the infinite legacy of the Giant Commanders, Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez. Comrade Raul Castro has many things left to accomplish in order to contribute to his country and to humanity, from his new trenches of struggle.

Members of the National Assembly opened the crucial session a day after voting on Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez's nomination as the sole candidate for president. The result was to be officially announced but the result was clear because the assembly approves all executive branch proposals by margins of 95 percent or higher.

Likewise, President Maduro enthusiastically congratulates the new President of the Councils of State and of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba, comrade Miguel Diaz-Canel, a faithful representative of the brilliant new generation, which was born, grew and was forged with the Cuban Revolution, thus affirming that his election guarantees that the homeland of Marti and Fidel will remain free, sovereign and socialist. Miguel Diaz-Canel has demonstrated rectitude, efficiency and revolutionary commitment in each responsibility, of the many that the leadership of the Cuban Revolution has entrusted him.

President Castro’s departure from the presidency is nonetheless a symbolically charged moment for a country — first by revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and, for the last decade, his younger brother.

"We're building a relationship between the government and the people here," he said then after casting a ballot for members of the National Assembly. "The lives of those who will be elected have to be focused on relating to the people, listening to the people, investigating their problems and encouraging debate."

Said President Miguel Diaz.

President Diaz-Canel and the revolutionary people of Cuba have the unrestricted support of President Nicolas Maduro and the Bolivarian Revolution, to deepen our union even more and face together the challenges and battles for social justice and human development in this tumultuous world, in the months and years to come. On this date, which commemorates the beginning of the revolutionary counteroffensive of Playa Giron, which in less than 72 hours managed to defeat the mercenary imperialist invasion, the Cuban people continue to teach lessons of dignity to the world in the 21st century; and the Bolivarian Revolution and the Cuban Revolution will continue to be united by the emancipatory legacy of Marti and Bolivar and the indissoluble alliance sealed with the historic embrace between Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro.

Towards victory always! We shall prevail!

The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro Moros, on behalf of the Venezuelan government and people, congratulates the brotherly people of the Republic of Cuba for the impeccable, democratic and participatory performance in the appointment of their legislative and executive authorities, which has culminated today with the election of the members of the Council of State, particularly the election of comrade Miguel Diaz-Canel as its new President, by the sovereign People’s Power National Assembly .

President Maduro expresses his profound admiration and touching recognition towards General of the Army Raul Castro Ruz, for the upright leading of his people in recent years, consolidating independence, progress and the socialist project in the Cuban society, as well as for his leadership in the world

www.stltoday.com The views and opinions expressed in these articles are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Embassy

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Syria commemorates

72nd Anniversary Syria, a country where mass demonstrations are held these days in rejection of the recent aggression of the United States and Western allies, celebrated on the 17th of April 2018, the 72nd anniversary of Independence Day. The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolรกs Maduro Moros, on behalf of the Bolivarian People and Government, expressed warmest congratulations to the brave People and Government of the Syrian Arab Republic on the occasion of their LXXII Anniversary of their Independence Day. The Bolivarian People join the commemoration of that glorious day of 1946, when after a long struggle against European colonialism, which since the agreement of SykesPicott sought to impose its yoke on the Syrian people, it was possible to finalize the withdrawal of the occupying troops , and finally the independence and sovereignty for the Syrian sisterly Nation was reached.

The Bolivarian Government reaffirms its rejection of the criminal bombing of Syrian territory carried out on April 14th by the United States, France and the United Kingdom, reiterating Venezuela's commitment to the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, a country twinned by history and culture,an anti-imperialist unit, in the struggle we are currently waging together against very similar threats, which we know we will be able to conjure together, as long as we build a multipolar and multi-centered world.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela takes the opportunity to reaffirm its support because peace can reach the brotherly Syrian people, peace with dignity built on the basis of respect for the decision of the People and Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to keep its Independence. www.mppre.gob.ve

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INSIDE AFRICA:

COMMONWEALTH

Heads of Government Meeting LONDON 2018

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018, also known as CHOGM 2018, was the 25th meeting of the heads of government of the Commonwealth of Nations. It was held in the United Kingdom. The meeting had been planned to have been held by Vanuatu at the end of 2017, but was moved to the United Kingdom after the impact of Cyclone Pam on the infrastructure of Vanuatu. The meeting was then postponed to April 2018 due to other international commitments.

The position of Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, held by the government leader of the CHOGM host country, was transferred at the summit from the Prime Minister of Malta to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who will hold the post until the 26th CHOGM (expected in 2020)

The agenda for the Commonwealth leaders includes talks on the promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic growth, supporting small and vulnerable states and recognition of opportunities for economic development from the ocean.

PRESIDENT KENYATTA AT CHOGM SUMMIT President Uhuru Kenyatta joined other Heads of Government at the Commonwealth leaders’ summit whose objective is to increase world prosperity.

During the leaders' roundtable meetings, President Uhuru is expected to speak on issues that are a priority for Kenya including promotion of inclusive growth and countering violent extremism and cybersecurity threats. He presented Kenya’s efforts in championing the sustainable economic development of Oceans and Coasts

Trade and investment between Kenya and post-Brexit Britain are one of the priority issues on President Kenyatta’s agenda during the summit.

The UK has been a strong trading and diplomatic partner for Kenya. 220 UK companies worth £2.7 billion operate in Kenya and employ 250,000 Kenyans.

Kenya is one of the 20 states that are members of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation, which also have special interests in maritime transport and navigation and will, later this year, co-host the Blue Economy Conference which will be a precursor to the 2020 United Nations Oceans conference.

President Uhuru is a strong supporter of intra-Africa trade and has championed the adoption of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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Overall, 47 out of 53 Commonwealth states were represented at the summit by their heads of government, with foreign ministers being the most senior attendees of the remaining countries

The blue economy conference is geared towards supporting the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

Support for the call for member countries to continue supporting women and youth-led mechanisms that enable their meaningful participation in economic growth and peace building processes.

OUTCOMES The leaders issued a Communiqué at the close of the summit in which they: 1) Committed their countries to ratifying and implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, 2) "mainstream youth priorities into national development policies and plans", 3) "address the stigma around disability in all its forms and manifestations," 4) Agreed to Report of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Commonwealth's fundamental political values, 5) Adopted the Revised Commonwealth Guidelines on Election Observation in Member Countries 6) Called for strengthening the international response to the large movement of refugees, including return to their country of origin in safety and dignity 7) "Adopted a Declaration on the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda for Trade and Investment and mandated the Secretariat to develop an accompanying action plan that considers capacity building and hard and soft connectivity" 8) Adopted the Commonwealth Blue Charter on sustainable development and protection of the world's oceans 9) Adopted a Commonwealth Cyber Declaration that "reflects Commonwealth values, and sets out a common commitment to an open, democratic peaceful and secure internet, respecting human rights and freedom of expression."

10) Called for a strengthening of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention 11) Agreed to work together to combat climate change particularly with reference to “small island developing states” 12) To coordinate efforts countering extremism as well as human trafficking.

13) Agreed that Rwanda will host the next CHOGM in 2020 and that Samoa would host the CHOGM 2022.

The leaders also issued a statement announcing their decision that Prince Charles will be the next Head of the Commonwealth

President Kenyatta at the sidelines of the commonwealth forums, already held discussions with President Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), President Filipe Nyusi (Mozambique) and President Nana Akufo-Addo (Ghana).Kenya emerged from the summit with an endorsement for its new role as a champion for blue economy development.

Minister Juma was appointed chair of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) which deals with conflicts and governance issues within the Commonwealth.

NOTABLE ATTENDEES

Foreign ministers present at CHOGM 2018 1) Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand; this was her first time attending CHOGM. 2) Adama Barrow, President of the Gambia; after the Gambia had returned to its status as a Commonwealth republic on 8 February 2018.

3) Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India; marking the first time since CHOGM 2011 that a Prime Minister of India has attended the summit.

4) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had to leave the summit early, returning to South Africa to deal with riots in North West province.

www.capitalfm.co.ke www.the-star.co.ke The views and opinions expressed in these articles are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Embassy

Zimbabwe's Foreign Minister, Sibusiso Moyo, was in London and requested to attend the summit as an observer in an attempt by the country to re-engage with the Commonwealth following the departure of longtime President Robert Mugabe. Moyo's presence would have been the first time Zimbabwe has attended a CHOGM in any capacity since leaving the Commonwealth in 2003. Moyo met various Commonwealth leaders on the sidelines of the summit, and the UK expressed its support for readmitting Zimbabwe to the Commonwealth, but Moyo was not permitted to attend the summit itself as the Commonwealth has no provision for observer status.

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