GMB Union condemns the military attack on Venezuela by the United States of America and abduction of Venezuela’s Heads of State. These acts are flagrant violations of international law, the United Nations (UN) Charter and the right to self-determination.
We are appalled to hear reports of Venezuelan civilians killed and injured in the attack and we stand in solidarity with the Venezuelan people, workers and trade unions who deserve to live free from destruction and violence and determine their own future.
We echo the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) statement that this unprovoked assault by US President Trump sets a precedent that jeopardises peace, human rights, trade union rights and risks destabilising Venezuela and the wider region.
GMB firmly opposes Imperialism, Colonialism and attempts to ‘regime change’ other countries. The Trump Administration must reverse its stated plan to ‘run’ Venezuela and its oil infrastructure, retract its threats of similar aggression towards Cuba and Colombia and move towards a non-violent and diplomatic solution to this crisis. The status of Latin America and the Caribbean as a ‘Zone of Peace’ as declared by 33 regional countries in 2014 must be respected.
GMB Congress last year reaffirmed our solidarity with those defending their right to self-determination and called on the UK government to do more to uphold international law abroad.
GMB calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities with Venezuela and for the respect of international law by all states. We echo the UN’s calls on all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law.
