Letter of solidarity with the Venezuelan people

The World March of Women expresses its deepest and most sincere solidarity with the Venezuelan people, who are simultaneously and brutally facing the devastating impact of the earthquakes that recently struck the country, alongside a political, economic, financial and high-profile offensive aimed at choking their sovereignty. At a time of grief, mourning and rebuilding, the people of Venezuela continue to resist with dignity and strength, firm in their commitment to the historic project of the Bolivarian Revolution, keeping their institutions and their self-determination alive.

The earthquake that struck the country on June 24th which has claimed, so far, more than 2,000 lives and left 12,000 injured _has had the most devastating effect on communities living in social housing, often more fragile and therefore more susceptible to destruction. Those are the communities that face today irreparable losses, forced displacement and even more adverse conditions for survival.

Despite this situation, the Venezuelan people is showing an impressive capacity for solidarity and organization. Workers continue to carry out their duties, ensuring the continuity of daily life, essential services and collective reconstruction, even though they too have been affected directly or indirectly by the earthquake.

We would like to highlight, in particular, the situation of Venezuelan women. Historically (and unfairly) responsible for sustaining life, they are the ones who ensure access to food, drinking water, care for the sick and the maintenance of homes. In times of crisis, they are also the ones who suffer most from the physical and psychological consequences of tragedies, bearing on their shoulders the burden of collective survival.

We strongly condemn the actions of far-right political groups with international links that seek to gain political advantage from this tragedy. By spreading lies, discrediting Venezuelan institutions and promoting disinformation, these groups further exacerbate the situation of the people, putting the health, safety and stability of the survivors at risk.

We cannot dissociate this situation from the blockade imposed by the United States, which is economically suffocating the country, limiting its capacity to respond to crises and worsening the living conditions of the population. In response to this situation, we demand that the international community make a genuine commitment to the long-term reconstruction of Venezuela, particularly in the worst-affected regions, La Guaira and Caracas. This solidarity must be provided without blackmail, without conditions and without using humanitarian aid as a bargaining chip to interfere with the country’s sovereignty.

The World March of Women reaffirms its commitment to defend the sovereignty of peoples, peace, social justice and the right of the Venezuelan people to freely determine their own destiny. In times of sorrow, may solidarity among peoples be stronger than any attempt of domination.

We are on the march; we remain in solidarity and attentive to what is happening to the people of Venezuela.

World March of Women