Ambassador of Venezuela to Nigeria, Mr David Caraballo, says Venezuelan Government will continue to defend its sovereignty and human rights of its citizens against sanctions of the U.S.
Caraballo made this known on Wednesday during the bicentennial commemoration of the Battle of Carabobo and the Independence of Venezuela which was held at the University of Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on June 24, 1821, Venezuela’s Gen. Simon Bolivar led the Battle of Carabobo which victory led to the attainment of Venezuela’s Independence.
According to Caraballo, the commemoration of the Carabobo Day is a continuous reminder on the need for Venezuela to preserve its sovereignty against any form of oppression from any “Super Power”.
“The main lesson of the Carabobo battle was for unity of the country, the necessity to fight for the sovereignty, the independence, the rights of the people.
“ (Also) to promote the social development to build the democracy and the republic.
“Africa and Latin America, Nigeria and Venezuela have a common growth, we have the same history, we have the mixed relations in the process to build our nation.
“I believe that this 200 years of the Carabobo Battle is the inspiration for the Venezuela people to continue fighting against the unilateral coercive measures against their interest promoted against the U.S against the human rights of the Venezuelan people.
“We have the blood of Africa flowing in us and we talk of Africa as our mother as Commander Hugo Chavez said that mother Africa is part of our history, our culture, our independence process,” Caraballo said.
Caraballo noted that the sanctions imposed on Venezuela by the U.S. had affected its relations with other countries and ease of doing business.
He added that President Nicolas Maduro had reached out to dialogue with the government of U.S. on the conditions that Venezuela’s sovereignty would be protected but the U.S. had failed to honour the dialogue.
The envoy noted that as against media reports, the internal political situations in Venezuela had been very stable as the government had continued to meet the needs of its citizens in partnership with ally countries.
“In Venezuela, the National Dialogue Board is working with different political parties.
“The internal political discussions are working well.
“The main issue is not the internal situation because the people and the country are in peace and the people are working to solve the impact of the unilateral coercive measures.
“The issue is the interest of the administration of the U.S., the government of the U.S. and not the people of the U.S., to promote the intervention policies against the decision of their government.
“We are fighting for our rights to be free because the super power countries like the U.S. are putting the new time of domination on our country.
“We are defending our independence, our freedom from foreign interest to promote the interventions in our affairs,” Caraballo added.
Caraballo further stated that the embassy chose to commemorate the event at the University of Abuja with students of History and Diplomatic studies for them to be well enlightened.
He explained that this was even as the international media continued to report wrong and negative events about the country.
Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, appreciated the Venezuelan Embassy for the opportunity to teach the students international history.
Na’Allah, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Abubakar Abba, said the Carababo day was beyond a historical document but a lesson for students to protect the nation’s democracy and interest.
“As students of history, there are deceptions, mischiefs going on, there are nations and countries.
“There are international agencies and platforms that are ready, willing and desperate to hijack and mobilise the African youth and students negatively.
“It behooves on you to open your eyes. You must live by the international assignment placed on your fragile, young shoulders.
“You should be able to know the truth and who is your friend and who is your enemy at the international system.
“Carabobo is more than a historical document; Carabobo is a way of life in itself, a life of struggle, a life of independence, a life of liberation, a life of sovereignty.
“A nation that is not free, a nation that is not independent in every aspect of its national life, a nation that is not sovereign vertically and horizontally, internally and externally is a nation at pain,” Na’Allah said.
NAN also reports that the event was attended by Ambassadors and Members of the diplomatic corps from Cuba, Argentina, Syria, Iran, Jamaica and Palestine.
