Ramaphosa 'deeply concerned' by US actions against Venezuela
ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned US actions in Venezuela.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers
President Cyril Ramaphosa has joined other world leaders, who have called for the immediate release of Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro.
Ramaphosa, echoing the sentiments shared by other world leaders, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping, has declared the US detention illegal and a clear undermining of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Venezuela.
China, an ally of Venezuela, also called for Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, to be 'immediately released' in a strong condemnation of the operation over the weekend.
Ramaphosa's stance, highlights the growing discontent with US interventions that critics argue threaten national sovereignty.
During a commemorative event on Tuesday, marking the 31st anniversary of the death of former SACP leader Joe Slovo, Ramaphosa emphasised the gravity of the situation in Venezuela
"We call for the immediate release of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife...We utterly reject the actions embarked upon by the United States, and we stand with the people of Venezuela. It is our commitment to international law and the United Nations Charter that informs our deep concern about the action of the United States in Venezuela. We believe this has undermined the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a U N member state called Venezuela," Ramaphosa said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has joined international leaders who have called for the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, recently detained by US forces and charged with drug-related offences.
Image: SACP Social Media
On Saturday, the world woke up to news that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken hostage by the US forces, while they were sleeping at their residence.
On Monday, the deposed Venezuelan leader pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges during his first appearance in a US court, declaring himself innocent and claiming he was kidnapped and brought to America unlawfully.
“I’m innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the president of my country,” Maduro told the judge, insisting that his arrest violated international norms. Maduro appeared in a Manhattan federal courtroom.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, also condemned the acts of aggression against the people of Venezuela.
Mbalula led the January 8 Programme in the Bojanala Region, North West, as part of the build-up to the 114th Anniversary of the ANC.
Mbalula slammed the arrest and subsequent public parade of the couple.
"The ANC condemns the recent acts of aggression directed at the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which constitute a serious violation of international law, national sovereignty, and the principles governing relations between states. The kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife undermines the United Nations' Charter and threatens global stability at a time when the world requires cooperation," Mbalula told the media gathered in Rustenburg.
Mbalula further reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to international law, national sovereignty, and peaceful relations between states.
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