Venezuela Solidarity Group Calls on US to Remove Sanctions Following Fatal Earthquakes
The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign calls on the US to remove sanctions on Venezuela, arguing that these measures obstruct earthquake relief and reconstruction initiatives.
The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria (VSCN) has urged for the prompt and unconditional removal of United States sanctions on Venezuela, contending that these restrictions are obstructing humanitarian aid and reconstruction initiatives in the aftermath of catastrophic twin earthquakes that have allegedly resulted in over 2,000 fatalities and displaced more than 50,000 individuals.
In a statement released on Sunday and signed by its coordinator, Comrade Dimeji Macaulay, the group conveyed its solidarity with the Venezuelan people and the Bolivarian government, characterizing the earthquakes as a humanitarian tragedy that has resulted in extensive destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, roads, and other essential infrastructure.
The organization expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and commended the resilience of the Venezuelan people in facing the disaster, despite enduring years of economic hardship.
According to the VSCN, the U.S. sanctions have diminished Venezuela’s ability to respond effectively to the emergency by constraining access to financial resources and hindering the importation of medicines, equipment, technology, and other vital materials.
The group asserted that upholding the sanctions amid a humanitarian crisis constitutes collective punishment of ordinary citizens and urged for their permanent removal to enable relief operations and long-term reconstruction.
“There is no moral or legal justification for sustaining an economic blockade against a nation striving to save lives and recover after a catastrophic natural disaster,” the statement asserted, emphasizing that each day the sanctions persist extends the suffering of the Venezuelan people.
The campaign called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to openly endorse the lifting of the sanctions, enhance diplomatic ties with Venezuela, and participate in international humanitarian initiatives for those affected by the disaster.
It additionally urged the African Union to dismiss unilateral coercive measures, characterizing them as breaches of international law, while encouraging African nations to back Venezuela’s recovery.
The group urged the United Nations to enhance humanitarian assistance and ensure that sanctions do not hinder emergency relief operations or reconstruction programs.
In addition to engaging with governments and international organizations, the VSCN reached out to trade unions, youth organizations, civil society groups, and progressive political movements throughout Africa and the broader international community. It called for solidarity with Venezuela by opposing what it termed economic warfare and advocating for the country’s right to shape its future free from external interference.
Reaffirming its dedication to the Venezuelan cause, the organization stated it would persist in its campaign until the sanctions are removed, emphasizing that Venezuela’s recovery should not be obstructed by external political factors.
