In a strikingly different stance to leaders of the Australian Labor Party, which has backed the Coalition government’s support for the illegitimate coup “government” in Venezuela, several leading members of Britain’s Labour Party have rejected the US attempt at regime change in the oil-rich South American nation.
“The far-right governments of Trump and Bolsonaro offer no hope to Venezuela or to the majority of people in Latin America,” reads a January 28 letter published in The Guardian. It was signed by dozens of high-profile British people, including Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, Shadow Justice Secretary Richard Burgon and nine other Labour MPs.
“Whatever views people hold on Venezuela, there is no justification for backing the US attempt at regime change under way, which, if successful, could go the way of the disastrous interventions in Iraq and Libya. Instead, the way forward is the call for dialogue from the Mexican and Bolivian presidents.”
New Zealand’s Labour-led coalition government also refused to follow the US in recognising the self-declared presidency of Guaido. Instead, it said on January 30 that it declined to give official recognition to either side in Venezuela.
In January 24, a statement signed by more than 70 global experts also opposed US intervention in Venezuela. The statement declared: “The United States government must cease interfering in Venezuela’s internal politics, especially for the purpose of overthrowing the country’s government. Actions by the Trump administration and its allies in the hemisphere are almost certain to make the situation in Venezuela worse, leading to unnecessary human suffering, violence, and instability.”