Vote presented by the Parliamentary Group of PCP at the Parliament

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Venezuelan people have been victims of repeated actions of destabilisation, which have in the sanctions and economic and financial blockade promoted by the United States a key element, aiming to hurt the Venezuelan economy and the living conditions of its people, including of the overwhelming majority of the Portuguese community.

These actions have intensified at a time when the Venezuelan Government seeks to implement measures to combat terrorist actions together with economic measures, namely to combat hoarding and price speculation, regardless of who promotes them, in order to ensure better living conditions for the Venezuelans and also the Portuguese community.

Portugal must base its relations with Venezuela and its legitimate government in compliance with the UN Charter and international law, dissociating itself from campaigns of destabilisation and aggression against this country. It is this position that defends the interests of the Portuguese community, recently praised by the Venezuelan Government.

Thus, the Assembly of the Republic,

1- Condemns the repeated threats by the US of military intervention against Venezuela and the sanctions and economic and financial blockade against this country;

2- Stresses the importance of democratic rights which cannot be confused with support or tolerance of practices that violate the rights of the Venezuelan people and of the Portuguese community as a whole;

3- Emphasizes that only an attitude of respect for the right of the Venezuelan people to decide on their future, without external interference, will contribute to ensure the normalisation of the situation and safeguard the interests of the Portuguese community in Venezuela;

4- Urges the Government not to compromise with respect for the sovereignty and independence of Venezuela, dissociating itself from campaigns of destabilisation aimed at worsening the living conditions of the Venezuelan people, including the overwhelming majority of the Portuguese community in that country.