In a powerful speech, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro closed the swearing-in ceremony for the Bolivarian Base Committees of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) with a historic call for national mobilization: a permanent vigil and march in the streets, with the Venezuelan flag held high, in the face of new imperialist threats looming over the country following the announcement of military exercises between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.
From Petare, Miranda state, he called upon all the people of the eastern states—from southern Bolívar, Monagas, Sucre, Anzoátegui, and Nueva Esparta—in perfect popular, military, and police unity, to establish a permanent vigil and march in the streets with the Venezuelan flag held high. He emphasized that this mobilization is not an aggressive response, but an act of sovereignty and peaceful resistance against external provocations.
“Peace, peace, peace” is the call of the Republic of Venezuela in the face of threats of war in the region. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez / Telegram.
Venezuela ready to defend itself against the irresponsibility of Trinidad and Tobago
Maduro strongly denounced the military exercises scheduled in waters near Sucre state, calling them “irresponsible” and “threatening,” and rejected the Trinidadian government’s subservience to the U.S. “They intend to be threatening to a republic like Venezuela, which will not be threatened by anyone,” he stated.
Earlier on Saturday, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez recalled that the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has broken with a tradition of regional cooperation by allowing her territory to be used as a platform for operations that jeopardize peace in the Caribbean. “She doesn’t care that the United States can indiscriminately bomb children and people from her territory,” she said.
In response to these threats, Maduro called on the population to act under the banner of “Peace, peace, peace.” “The plan of every militant and every Venezuelan must be to prepare for defense, but under the banner of Peace, peace, peace,” he clarified. “The language of Venezuelans is the language of love for the homeland.” And he declared: “They say they’re going to do it from Monday to Thursday… Well, the people of Trinidad and Tobago will see. If they continue to tolerate the use of their waters and their land to seriously threaten the peace of the Caribbean.”
The president reiterated that Venezuela is not seeking confrontation, but will not allow its resources to be plundered. “We don’t mess with anyone in this world. They want to steal the oil. Are we going to let them steal Venezuela’s oil? They want to steal Venezuela’s gas. Are we going to let them?” And he emphasized: “Venezuela must be respected. We demand respect for this homeland of honor, peace, and truth. This people has enough power in the streets.”
In the spirit of Commander Chávez, he added: “As our Commander Chávez said, there are plenty of mountains here. There are plenty of determined people here. There is enough perfect unity—popular, military, and police—to defend this homeland and win perpetual peace for today and forever.”
Complete the projects after the popular consultations, complete the revolution
President Maduro linked the defense of sovereignty with building popular well-being. “To date, we have established 235,000 Bolivarian street committees in every corner of Venezuela. 4.5 million Venezuelans are now organized,” and his first task will be to hold successful popular consultations next weekend.
He announced that in the fourth National Popular Consultation on November 23, the first two projects voted on in each community will be guaranteed “immediate funding so that the projects can be carried out and completed for the direct benefit of the people.”
He assured that by the end of the process, more than 10,700 projects will have been planned, proposed, and decided upon by the people, allowing them to close the year with a victory. “We call on everyone to…”
IMAGE CREDIT: The president reiterated his call for the people to participate in the Popular Consultations for community projects on November 23. Photo: Presidential Press Office.
[ SOURCE: teleSUR ]
