The Green Party strongly protests the arrests today of individuals inside the Venezuelan Embassy. Members of the organization Embassy Protection Collective had been staying inside the embassy since April 10, 2019, with permission of the embassy. Their objective was to help prevent a U.S. administration-aided effort by the Venezuelan opposition to take over the embassy. Several members of the Green Party were part of the organization.

Green Party of the United States

www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:

May 16, 2019

Contacts:

Gloria Mattera, Co-chair of the Green Party of the United States gmattera@gmail.com

Holly Hart, Co-chair, Media Committee media@gp.org 202-804-2758

The United Nations recognizes Nicolas Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela. It is illegal under international law for the U.S. to facilitate control of the embassy to opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has asserted a claim to the office.

The Embassy Protection Collective released a statement recently saying that eviction and arrests of the individuals, inside the embassy with the approval of the Venezuelan government, would violate international law.

"Today's action creates a horrific precedent. International law protects foreign embassies" said Margaret Flowers, Green Party of the United States Co-chair, and one of the activists arrested today as part of the nonviolent effort to prevent the takeover. "The Trump Administration is violating the Vienna Convention by not only allowing the illegal seizure of diplomatic premises but by facilitating it. Such action raises concerns for the safety and security of diplomatic staff and embassies, including our own, throughout the world."

The Green Party platform states that "the U.S. must recognize the sovereignty of nation-states and their right of self-determination." The Green Party has called for a policy of non-intervention and for sanctions against Venezuela to be lifted.

A recent report shows that as many as 40,000 civilians have died due to U.S. sanctions in Venezuela since 2017.

For more information:

Green Party of the United States: Hands Off Venezuela

Statement of the Embassy Protection Collective

US sanctions violate human rights & international code of conduct, UN expert says

Statement of the Embassy Protection Collective

Embassy Protection Collective Facebook Page

U.S. Places Sanctions on Venezuela’s Foreign Minister

https://popularresistance.org/tag/Venezuela/