Given the gravity of the events, which include the bombing of facilities in Caracas and confirmation by the US government of the capture and kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro, the international trade union movement declares:

1. Condemnation of military intervention: We denounce this action as a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the fundamental principles of international law. The use of military force and the incursion into the territory of a sovereign nation constitute an unacceptable act of war that jeopardises the peace and stability of the entire region.
2. Defence of sovereignty and self-determination: In line with our historic position of defending the autonomy of peoples and supporting the statements issued by the governments of the region demanding unrestricted respect for Venezuelan sovereignty, we reject any attempt at regime change by force or through foreign interference. The fate of Venezuela must be decided exclusively by the Venezuelan people through democratic and peaceful mechanisms, without imperial tutelage.
3. Demand for human guarantees: We join the immediate international demand for proof of life, respect for physical integrity, and the release of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as well as any other citizens detained in this illegal operation. Their current status must be made transparent to the international community without delay.
4. Call for peace and dialogue: We agree with the position expressed by the governments of Brazil, Mexico, and other countries in condemning violence and urging a return to diplomatic channels. The region must remain a zone of peace; we will not allow Latin America to be dragged into a military conflict for geopolitical interests that do not represent our peoples.

“These acts in no way defend democracy; they are clear acts of aggression as part of a militarised foreign policy agenda motivated by unilateral economic interests,” said ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle. “Threats of kidnapping and the misuse of the courts to attack a sovereign government undermine the international rule of law and set a precedent of imperial coercion that jeopardises peace everywhere.”

“We, the trade union movement of the Americas, condemn the military aggression and kidnapping of President Maduro and his partner Cilia Flores, a violation of the sovereignty and integrity of the Venezuelan people and of all Latin America and the Caribbean, declared a Zone of Peace by Community of Latin American and Caribbean States since 2014. We are activating mechanisms of international solidarity with the people and workers of Venezuela,” said Rafael Freire, TUCA General Secretary. “We defend Venezuela and all of Latin America as a territory of peace. We do not accept invasion and violence against our peoples and territories. The trade union movement, as always, is on the front line of defending sovereignty and self-determination, democracy and human rights.”

The ITUC and the TUCA remain mobilised against imperialist, military or economic interference by one country in another, against wars, and in firm defence of peace, democracy and multilateralism.

For the sovereignty, peace and self-determination of peoples.

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