Newsletter 3 ENGLISH VERSION

Bolivarian Ministry of People’s Embassy of the Bolivarian Government Power for Foreign Affairs Republic of Venezuela of Venezuela

Vol. 5: Issue 3, 5th Feb, 2019

Newsletter Weekly

In This Issue

President Maduro asks international community to end US's threats of war Venezuela rejects decision of European governments to comply with the coup plan executed by the US

President Maduro asks international community to end US's threats of war

Thousands gather to mark the 20th anniversary of the Bolivarian Revolution

Venezuela will not allow foreign soldiers to invade, President Nicolas Maduro said calling for dialogue with opposition forces during a televised speech.

Uruguay Prepares to Host EU Meeting on Venezuelan Crisis

"Che, Fidel, Chavez, they are our heritage, they give us strength,” the Bolivarian head of state said, reminding the crowd of supporters of the country’s past struggle for independence dating back to the colonial era to present day.

UN recognizes Maduro as legitimate president of Venezuela

Since the attempted coup on Jan. 23 lead by opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido, the United States has aligned its forces with the self-proclaimed “interim president,” declaring his unconstitutional claim legitimate, triggering similar calls from its allies around the world and in South America.

The Rights of innocent Venezuelans must be respected by those who use sanctions

Maduro said, "When our Comandante Chavez passed away, I became president, but my first act was to hold elections. I wasn't going to govern without elections...why has Sanchez Castejon governed for so long in Spain without convening elections?

President Maduro receives credentials from new Ambassadors accredited to Venezuela

Inside Africa: Tanzania’s port out of Africa

Threats of militarized intervention have resurfaced as well as new rounds of suffocating sanctions against Venezuela, targeting the country’s oil companies in the United States. Although both the Lima Group and the European Union have rejected militarized force, they have recognized the Guaido’s claim and are calling for Maduro to abdicate in favor of a new election.

"The attacks against us from the so-called 'Lima Group' are also an attack on the whole left, on all progressives who they persecute in their countries," President Maduro said, describing the organization’s behavior as “disgusting and laughable.”

Regarding the repeated requests for intervention made by the Venezuelan opposition, the president said it was foolish for his homeland to encourage war. "Those who march with the US flag asking for military intervention in their own country have no idea what they're asking for, they have no idea of the damage they will bring," said Maduro.

"In Venezuela, a battle is being played out for the right of all countries to pursue their own paths… I want to ask the world for the highest level of solidarity to create a powerful movement against the threats of war from the US,” the Bolivarian president said. www.telesurenglish.net

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Venezuela rejects decision of European governments to comply with the coup plan executed by the US

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expresses its strongest rejection for the decision made by some governments of Europe, in which they officially embrace the strategy of the US administration to overthrow the legitimate Government of President Nicolas Maduro elected by the Venezuelan people in sovereignty, freely and democratically.

The Venezuelan people’s sovereignty is not subject to any kind of recognition by any foreign authority, much less after 200 years of having broken the colonial chains, thanks to the independence campaign led by the Liberator Simon Bolívar.

The degree of subordination of these governments to the warmongering policy by the current United States administration against Venezuela is alarming. Such policy undermines the peace and stability of the entire region.

In this light, we denounce that this decision blatantly violates the principles and practices governing diplomatic relations, setting a dangerous precedent for the peaceful coexistence among nations.

We warn that these governments are biased in favor of the most extreme sector of the Venezuelan right wing, acting under the guidance of Washington, desperately seeking to take control of the political power that has been denied by sovereign decision of the majority of the Venezuelan people, who expressed their clear democratic will in the presidential elections of May 20th, 2018.

From this moment, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will comprehensively review the bilateral relations with these governments, until they rectify their intention to support the coup plans and return to the path towards strict respect for International Law. The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela urges the European governments to walk the path of moderation and balance, so that they are able to contribute constructively to a political, peaceful and dialogue solution that allows addressing the differences between the Venezuelan political forces. www.mppre.gob.ve

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Thousands gather to mark the 20th anniversary of the Bolivarian Revolution Thousands of supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gathered in Caracas to mark the 20th anniversary of the Bolivarian revolution, with opposition groups attending a rally led by “interim president” Juan Guaido.

The opposition, who back intervention in the country by the United States, carried images of U.S. President Donald, Trump, and patriotic symbols form the United States, like the Statue of Liberty and U.S. flags, etc.

Trump’s administration has been leading the international interventionist efforts against the Venezuelan people and has multiple times suggested a possible military option to topple President Maduro, an opinion echoed by some in his closest circle.

Meanwhile, Maduro’s supporters gathered at Bolivar Avenue, where the president called for a dialogue with the opposition in order to reach a peaceful solution to the current political stand-off.

“Leave the path of Yankee interventionism, stop calling the war, stop supporting a coup that has already failed. The coup failed and they (the United States) do not realize it," he told the opposition.

President Maduro greeted the call for a dialogue by the governments of Uruguay, Mexico, and the U.N.’s Antonio Guterres, and announced parliamentary elections in order to restore the National Assembly, in contempt since 2016. www.telesurenglish.net

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Uruguay Prepares to Host EU Meeting on Venezuelan Crisis

European Union representatives will meet in Montevideo on February 7 to discuss the political situation in Venezuela, Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez confirmed Sunday.

“The Group shall have a balanced membership with countries and international governmental organizations that are committed to a peaceful and political solution to the Venezuelan crisis. Its size shall be manageable and conducive to results,” the letter said.

Federica Mogherini, head of the international delegation, gave eight undecided EU member countries and its South American partners a deadline of 90 days to “reach a positive decision” on the Venezuela crisis.

Since Venezuela’s attempted coup on Jan. 23 which brought opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido to the forefront, claiming himself “interim president”, the European Union has been divided.

In response, Uruguay will be hosting the first inaugural meeting of the International Contact Group (IGC) on Venezuela with representatives from various EU members, Mexico, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador.

Austria, Greece, Italy and Luxembourg, staunchly rejected Guaido’s claim to the presidency, advocating for a peaceful dialogue to be conducted free of international interference.

"The IGC aims to contribute to creating the necessary conditions for the emergence of a political and peaceful process that allows Venezuelans to determine their own future, holding free, transparent and credible elections...in line with the relevant provisions of the Venezuelan Constitution,” the EU said in a statement in January.

While Germany, Spain, France, Holland, Portugal and the United Kingdom, presented Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with an ultimatum, demanding he abdicate in favor of a new presidential election or they will recognize Guaido as the country’s new president.

Broken into three phases, the ICG will work as a mediator between national and international parties, to “identify the way forward, required steps and confidence-building measures for all relevant national actors to engage seriously in a credible process.”

Uruguayan ambassador to the United Nations, Elbio Rosselli said, "There will be no stability or peace in Venezuela without a political agreement between the various actors through broad and non-exclusive dialogue that includes the government, the entire political spectrum and civil society.” www.telesurenglish.net

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The spokesman stressed that the recognition of governments is not a function of the General Secretariat of the UN, but of the member states, and that in its relationship with the other member states respects “the decisions” of the General Assembly and the Security Council.

UN recognizes Maduro as legitimate president of Venezuela

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza blamed the arrests on the media he accused of sending his employees without complying with the law to “then make a scandal” against the government. The director of the agency Efe reported on his Twitter account of the release of the detainees.

The UN refuses to position itself in favor of the main actor of the coup, Juan Guaidó, and says that Venezuela acts in coordination with the government recognized by the member countries.

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, confirmed on Thursday that the States of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA) and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) recognize Nicolás Maduro as constitutional and legitimate president of Venezuela.

The UN spokesman also welcomed the initiative of Mexico and Uruguay to convene an international meeting with the aim of launching a political dialogue in Venezuela.

“Obviously the international community can play a key role in facilitating inclusive agreements”, affirmed the spokesman, who said they expect details for the meeting that Guterres will hold with the representatives of Mexico and Uruguay.

Therefore, the official refused to position himself in favor of the interests of the deputy of the National Assembly (AN) -in contempt-, Juan Guaidó, who on January 23 proclaimed himself “president in charge” unconstitutionally.

Venezuela is experiencing days of great turbulence due to Guaidó’s self-proclaimed interim president, with US support, despite Maduro, legally elected in the last presidential elections of 2018, began his second term on January 10.

The opposition leader wrote to Guterres to ask for the implementation of “support mechanisms” to address what he called “humanitarian crisis” in the Bolivarian Republic.

Although some western and Latin American countries allied with Washington have recognized Guaidó, others like Bolivia, Cuba, Mexico, Russia, Iran, China, Turkey and Syria have announced their full support to the Government of Venezuela.

In his response, Dujarric asserted that the UN is willing to continue cooperating in development activities in Venezuela, counting on the consent of the government of President Nicolás Maduro, the only government it recognizes.

www.mppre.gob.ve

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“There is a need for all parties and all countries to work to a peaceful solution which does not lead to any further violence”, the expert added.

His call echoed the comments of the Spokesman for the UN Secretary General, who noted that Secretary General underscored “the urgent need for all relevant actors to engage in an inclusive and credible political dialogue to address the long crisis facing the country, with full respect for the rule of law and human rights.”

The expert drew attention to the UN Declaration on the Principles of International Law concerning friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, which urges States to resolve their differences through dialogue and peaceful relations, and to avoid the use of economic, political or other measures to coerce another State in regard to the exercise of its sovereign rights.

The Human Rights of innocent Venezuelans must be respected by those who use sanctions Sanctions which have the effect of leading to starvation and medical shortages are not the answer to the crisis in Venezuela, United Nations Special Rapporteur Idriss Jazairy. His comments followed the imposition of sanctions on Venezuela’s national oil company by the United States.

“I urge all countries to avoid applying sanctions unless approved by the United Nations Security Council, as required by the UN Charter,” the Special Rapporteur concluded.

“I am especially concerned to hear reports that these sanctions are aimed at changing the government of Venezuela,” Mr. Jazairy said. “Coercion, whether military or economic, must never be used to seek a change in government in a sovereign state.”

Mr. Idriss Jazairy was appointed by the Human Rights Council as the first Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights.

“The use of sanctions by outside powers to overthrow an elected government is in violation of all norms of international law,” the expert noted.

Mr. Jazairy has extensive experience in the fields of international relations and human rights with the Algerian Foreign Ministry, the UN human rights system and international NGOs. He holds a M.A. (Oxford) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and an M.P.A. (Harvard). He also graduated from the Ecole nationale d’Administration (France). Mr. Jazairy is the author of books and of a large number of articles in the international press on development, human rights and current affairs.

Likewise, he called upon the international community to engage in constructive dialogue with the Government of Venezuela to find solutions to the very real challenges being faced.

“Economic sanctions are effectively compounding the grave crisis affecting the Venezuelan economy, adding to the damage caused by hyperinflation and the drop of oil prices. This comes at a time when compassion should be expressed to the long suffering people of Venezuela by promoting, not curtailing, access to food and medicine,” Mr. Jazairy said.

The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work.

They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

Precipitating an economic and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela is not the foundation for the peaceful settlement of disputes, Mr. Jazairy noted. “I call on States to engage in and facilitate constructive dialogues with all parties to find solutions which respect the human rights of Venezuelans.”

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President Maduro receives credentials from new ambassadors accredited in Venezuela The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, received the credentials of the new ambassadors of the Republic of Suriname, the Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of Benin, the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Republic of Zambia and the People's Democratic Republic Laos.

Venezuela and Laos At the last meeting held by the Vice-minister for Asia, Rubén Molina and his counterpart, Sengphet Hounboungnuang, it was agreed to continue with the bilateral dialogues in order to analyze the common objectives of cooperation and consular matters.

At the ceremony held at the Miraflores Palace, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Jorge Arreaza and the Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Popular Power for Foreign Realities also participated: For Africa, Yuri Pimentel; for the Caribbean, Raúl Licausi and for Asia Middle East and Oceania, Rubén Darío Molina.

Venezuela and Dominica Both countries maintain close friendly relations and are part, in addition to the ALBA-TCP, of different regional integration mechanisms such as Petrocaribe and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac).

As part of the diplomatic accreditation process, the designated Ambassador of Suriname was the first to be received, Adjako Ruwan Gilian; then appointed ambassador of Mozambique, Gamliel Sepúlveda; for the Republic of Benin, Ambassador Boniface Vignon; the Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Ambrose George; by Zambia, Ambassador Alfreda Chilekwa, and, finally, the new ambassador of the Laos People's Republic, Anouphone Kittirath.

Venezuela and Mozambique Similarly, the Bolivarian Diplomacy of Peace, in the framewok of the Economic Recovery and Growth Program, led

by President Nicolás Maduro, investigated in mid-2018, on the potential and opportunities of business with the Mozambican provinces in search of agreements that include a Venezuelan region that promotes its agricultural, tourist, mining and construction characteristics.

On different occasions, President Nicolás Maduro has given continuity to the Africa Agenda through a new model of international relations initiated with Commander Chávez and which provides an organizational mode of South-South relations and cooperation with African countries.

Venezuela and Suriname In September 2018, Venezuela and Suriname had anticipated a common willingness to continue strengthening their ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation, at a meeting held by the foreign ministers, Jorge Arreaza and Ylidz Pollack-Beighle. The following month, the governments of both countries collaborated energetically with the realization of Mission Miracle, for the attention of people with fewer resources.

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HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR 2019

2019 is the Year of the Pig according to Chinese zodiac. This is a Year of Earth Pig, starting from Feb. 5, 2019 (Chinese New Year) and lasting to Jan. 24, 2020.

Pig is the twelfth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign. The Years of the Pig include 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043...

Pig is not thought to be a smart animal in China. It likes sleeping and eating and becomes fat. Thus it usually features laziness and clumsiness. On the positive side, it behaves itself, has no plan to harm others, and can bring affluence to people.

Consequently, it has been regarded as wealth. www.travelchinaguide.com

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Inside Africa:

Tanzania’s port out of Africa A small Tanzanian fishing port could be as large and busy as Rotterdam within 10 years, backed by money from China and Oman. This might industrialise a country in ever deeper debt to China.

1977 by Julius Nyerere. According to Daudi Mukangara, a political scientist at the University of Dar es Salaam, the CCM’s original brand of socialism did not withstand ‘the neoliberal assault of the late 1980s and 90s, which denationalised the very notion of nationalism’. Tanzania has one of Africa’s strongest growth rates, 5.8% in 2018 and a forecast of 6% in 2019 according to the IMF, and has begun a massive infrastructure development programme (see Tanzania revives rail).

Bagamoyo, a small fishing port 70km north of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, may become Africa’s biggest container port in the next 10 years. China’s largest public port operator, China Merchants Holdings, is about to start what the Ecofin Agency called ‘the most significant construction project in the last four decades of Chinese-Tanzanian relations’.

Part of the $10bn funding will come from the Sultanate of Oman’s sovereign wealth fund and China’s Exim Bank. There will be a special economic zone modelled on Shenzhen, China. The piers and docks will extend along 20km of coastline, and handle 20m containers a year, more than Rotterdam, Europe’s biggest port. Tanzanian authorities say it will create an industrial revolution in a mainly rural country where 80% still live below the poverty threshold.

The Bagamoyo project will let Oman regain a foothold in Africa; the nearby island of Zanzibar was Omani territory from 1698 and a major centre of the slave trade supplying the Gulf states. China, too, is extending its influence in East Africa in Tanzania, which has been a pillar of Sino-African cooperation (see How China joined Tanzania and Zambia). Until the mid-19th century, Bagamoyo was an important transit point for copra (dried coconut), ivory and slaves. Many (...)

Tanzania, a rare example of stability in this region, has been governed by John Magufuli since late 2015. He is the political heir of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM, Party of the Revolution), founded in

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

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