An inside look at how Venezuelan diplomats stymied a US attempt to revoke their credentials at the UN and shatter their nation’s sovereignty.
by Anya Parampil
Part 4 - Africa, unbowed
As Venezuela’s vice minister for Africa, Yuri Pimentel highlighted the importance of the continent’s support for his country on the international stage.
African countries account for 54 UN recognized states, about one-third of the group’s membership.
While the United States touts the fact that it has pressured 54 countries around the world into recognizing Guaidó, the African continent has remained unified in its rejection of Washington’s coup attempt in Venezuela.
African countries account for 54 UN recognized states, about one-third of the group’s membership.
While the United States touts the fact that it has pressured 54 countries around the world into recognizing Guaidó, the African continent has remained unified in its rejection of Washington’s coup attempt in Venezuela.
According to Pimentel, at the beginning of the country’s Bolivarian Revolution in 1998, Venezuela only had diplomatic relations with around 20 African countries. Today, that number is 55.
“I speak with about 55 [nations], even though one of them is not recognized in the United Nations, because we recognize the Western Sahara as an independent country,” he explained.
Among Venezuela’s strongest allies on the continent is South Africa, the industrial hub of the region. In February, the South African Development Community (SADC) released a statement “[noting] with concern the attempts by the leaders of some countries to interfere in the affairs and sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”
“I speak with about 55 [nations], even though one of them is not recognized in the United Nations, because we recognize the Western Sahara as an independent country,” he explained.
Among Venezuela’s strongest allies on the continent is South Africa, the industrial hub of the region. In February, the South African Development Community (SADC) released a statement “[noting] with concern the attempts by the leaders of some countries to interfere in the affairs and sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”
SADC, which is comprised of 16 African member states, characterized efforts to recognize Guaidó as Venezuela’s president as “violations of the principles of International Law.”
The spirit of unity between Venezuela and African nations was on display during the 74th UNGA meeting when Namibia’s President Hage Geingob even used his time speaking before international dignitaries to offer support for Venezuela’s elected government.
“We also extend our solidarity to the government and people of Venezuela and commend the mediation efforts [undertaken] by the kingdom of Norway,” President Geingob announced after calling for an end to the economic blockade of Cuba and sanctions targeting Zimbabwe.
The spirit of unity between Venezuela and African nations was on display during the 74th UNGA meeting when Namibia’s President Hage Geingob even used his time speaking before international dignitaries to offer support for Venezuela’s elected government.
“We also extend our solidarity to the government and people of Venezuela and commend the mediation efforts [undertaken] by the kingdom of Norway,” President Geingob announced after calling for an end to the economic blockade of Cuba and sanctions targeting Zimbabwe.
Many African nations were also in attendance when, on the sidelines of the GA, Venezuela led its last meeting as chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the UN’s largest member organization.
Around 100 countries attended the session, the first of its kind held since high-level diplomats representing NAM member states gathered in Caracas to participate in the group’s ministerial conference this July.
As documented by this reporter at the time, the ministerial summit saw NAM’s 120 member states unanimously affirm support for the government of Nicolás Maduro, signaling Venezuela would indeed defeat US efforts to delegitimize it with in the hall of the UN General Assembly.
Around 100 countries attended the session, the first of its kind held since high-level diplomats representing NAM member states gathered in Caracas to participate in the group’s ministerial conference this July.
As documented by this reporter at the time, the ministerial summit saw NAM’s 120 member states unanimously affirm support for the government of Nicolás Maduro, signaling Venezuela would indeed defeat US efforts to delegitimize it with in the hall of the UN General Assembly.
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