Published on 27 April 2017 on Granma
We have once again witnessed another infamous and immoral decision by the discredited OAS, against the Bolivarian Revolution; a repetition of the shameful pages written against the Cuban Revolution in the 1960s.
The calling of a Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, to continue harassing the Venezuelan government, constitutes another action consistent with the OAS’ traditional role as an instrument of imperialist domination in the hemisphere; in order to undermine the sovereignty, independence and dignity of Our America.
The OAS has always remained with its back to the peoples of America, over an almost 70 year history of subordination to oligarchic and imperialist interests. It has been absent when our region has been the victim of political, economic and military intervention and aggression, or serious democracy and human rights violations.
It is now time to recognize that the OAS is incompatible with the most pressing needs of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is incapable of representing their values and interests. It imposed a doctrine of false democracy, responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Latin Americans and Caribbeans and the impoverishment and exclusion of millions. The OAS chooses to attack and impose, rather than reconcile or dialogue; and disregards the right of states to equality and self-determination. It conspires and subverts genuine and legitimately constituted governments with proven popular support, and deserves the most profound repudiation.
Venezuela has taken the dignified decision to withdraw from the OAS, which we firmly support, having courageously faced the harassment, interference and ignominy which have been the aim of this institution and its frenzied Secretary General. In order to defend the collective interests of the region, both Chávez in his time, and now President Maduro, stood up to its treachery with dignity and courage. But the OAS never set out to accept a popular government, much less help Venezuela, as some assert. On the contrary, it has increasingly attempted to overthrow the Bolivarian Revolution.
The aggressions and contemptible conduct of the OAS toward Venezuela confirm that wherever there is a government that is not fitting with the interests of imperialist power circles and their allies, it will be attacked. The new more subtle and concealed methods of attrition, to disturb the peace and internal order, without renouncing violence, do not hide the old strategy of trying to prove the unfeasibility of progressivism, the left and their struggles for the economic and social development of our region.
Cuba reaffirms its unwavering commitment to accompany Venezuela and the dignified, courageous and constructive position of President Nicolas Maduro in leading the Bolivarian Revolution. We express our support and solidarity to the people and government of Venezuela, in this new chapter of resistance and dignity, certain of just how much more struggle remains in order to achieve unity and maintain the fundaments of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, signed in 2014.
Havana, April 27, 2017.