Alliance of the Government of South Africa expresses its solidarity with Venezuela

As part of his visit to South Africa in the framework of the Conference of Solidarity with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, the Foreign Minsiter of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Jorge Arreaza, participated in a Assembly of Solidarity with Venezuela organized by the Revolutionary Alliance of the South African Government. The Alliance, which emerged in the early 1990s as a revolutionary and transforming force of South Africa, brings together various political and social organizations such as the African National Congress (ANC), the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the South African National Civic Organization (Sanco). In the year of 1994 the Alliance initiated the democratization of the political life of South Africa with the victory of Nélsón Mandela, historical leader of the process of liberation of the South African people in its fight against the segregationist regime of Apartheid. The meeting, developed in the province of Gauteng, was conducive to the exchange of experiences, the analysis of the political situation in Venezuela and the world, as well as to share messages of support from the leaders of this important Alliance with the Venezuelan people. In this sense, Mike Shingange, representative of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), which brings together 21 national unions, said that “in the United States the demonstrations of union workers have increased in the last two years, while in Europe the demonstrations of Yellow vests are increasingly nourished by the working class”, referring to the political and social crises that these nations are facing and trying to hide involving the situation of Venezuela in their political agenda. Similarly, Chris Mahlako, a member of the Communist Party of South Africa, emphasized that the agenda of imperialism is war. “We have seen how NATO bombed Serbia on US orders, invaded Iraq and imposed the tribalization of Libya destroying its entire social structure”, he said. Mahlako also condemned the blockade imposed by the US against Venezuela, stating that it constitutes a “crime against humanity, which has no basis in international law or any multilateral organization”. For his part, Tony Yengeni, representative of the African National Congress, took the opportunity to analyze the attacks of the administration of Donald Trump against the sovereign countries, when referring to the threats that the North American leader has let glimpse against South Africa. In this regard, he expressed the agreement of both peoples in the defense of the principle of national sovereignty and affirmed that, like Venezuela, “they do not accept threats from anyone”. The South African National Civic Organization (Sanco), participated in the voice of Lucas Qhakaza, who expressed solidarity on behalf of the South African people, indicating that he will always be willing to support the People of Venezuela. Qhakaza recalled that recently an Alliance delegation visited Venezuela and noted the impacts of the economic and financial blockade against the people to try to force a change of government through unconstitutional means. During his speech, Foreign Minister Arreaza expressed his happiness and gratitude after receiving the solidarity of the people and government of South Africa. “We have held meetings with members of the government and we also appreciate your support and solidarity, we feel the support in each space we are going”, said the Venezuelan diplomacy spokesman. Arreaza said that the battle for Venezuela’s sovereignty is also taking place at the international level. “The support of the governments and peoples of the world allows us to face the threats that are imposed against countries that respect international law”, he concluded.