The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) firmly and unequivocally oppose the US military invasion carried out against Venezuela which represents a grave escalation and constitutes a blatant violation of national sovereignty, international law, and the fundamental principles of peace and self-determination.
The attacks have resulted in the deaths of military personnel and civilians, underscoring the urgent need to halt further violence and loss of life.
“This act threatens Venezuela’s political and social stability, endangers regional and international peace, and places the lives and human rights of millions of innocent people at risk, said Paddy Crumlin, President of the ITF. “There is no justification for armed intervention. These actions impede on international law and set a destabilising precedent for the world in undermining democracy and along with that trade union rights and freedoms. The future of Venezuela must be decided exclusively by Venezuelans.”
Crumlin continued: “The ITF calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities and reinstatement of respect for Venezuelan sovereignty. In particular, these actions directly threaten the rights and safety of Venezuelan transport workers and the critical role they plan in delivering the essential services and supply chain to support the ongoing function of the economy and public welfare. As seen in many other conflicts around the world, transport workers are in front line of this kind of violent intervention. Differences between states must be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy, and international cooperation. We call on governments and international institutions to act now to prevent further escalation. We also call for a full and independent investigation into this military operation and the circumstances used to justify it, to ensure accountability and justice, and the prevention of future violence.”
The ITF stands in solidarity with its Venezuelan affiliated union, the Federación Bolivariana de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras del sector Transporte, Afines y Conexos, backing its calls for an immediate halt to hostilities, the activation of ILO protections for affected workers, and the immediate release of President Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores.
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) have issued an absolute and unequivocal rejection of the US military attack on Venezuela condemning it as a violation of international law, rejecting any attempt at regime change by force or foreign interference, demanding full guarantees for the life and immediate release of President Maduro and Cilia Flores, and calling for an urgent return to dialogue so that peace, sovereignty, and self-determination are upheld in the region.
Echoing these calls, ITF Latin Americas Vice President Pablo Moyano expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people.
“We express our deepest solidarity with the Venezuelan people and their workers, who are today facing moments of uncertainty and pain, and we demand the release of President Maduro. We join their legitimate aspiration to live in peace, with respect for their sovereignty and fundamental rights. We reaffirm our commitment to accompany them in this struggle for justice and self-determination.”.
“Sovereignty is not negotiable; peace is not imposed with weapons. Today we raise our voices for Venezuela and for the right of peoples to decide their own destiny, because every invasion threatens not only one nation, but our entire region and its democratic stability,” Moyano concluded.
