SACP condemns the unlawful seizure of Venezuelan Aircraft by the imperialist United States regime

6 September 2024

The South African Communist Party (SACP) condemns the unlawful seizure of a Venezuelan aircraft by the imperialist regime of the United States in the Dominican Republic on 2 September 2024 and its illegal transfer to the United States. This brazen act, rightly described by the Venezuelan government as an act of piracy, is a flagrant violation of international law, a provocation against the people of Venezuela and an undermining of their democratic sovereignty. The aircraft was used by Venezuela’s democratically elected President, Nicolás Maduro.

It is well known that the imperialist regime of the United States preferred a candidate who lost in Venezuela's 28 July 2024 elections. Unprepared to accept the democratic choice of the Venezuelan people, the United States imperialist regime now appears to be resorting to more unlawful measures to undermine the democratic sovereignty of Venezuela and its legitimately elected government. The theft of a Venezuelan aircraft is part of a broader agenda by the United States to destabilise Venezuela, plunge the country into crisis and effect an undemocratic change of government. The SACP denounces these actions and calls on the global working class and progressive forces to resist United States-led imperialist aggression.

The SACP was among the international observers in the 28 July Venezuelan elections, and along with other observers, confirmed that the elections were free and fair. As previously communicated, Venezuela’s Supreme Court has since confirmed the election process and results as free and fair. After a thorough audit and evaluation of all electoral records, Venezuela's highest judicial body confirmed the election results initially announced by the country's official electoral authority, affirming President Nicolás Maduro’s victory.

Since the election of the late President Hugo Chávez in 1998, the Venezuelan government has used state resources, including oil profits, to fund social programmes that benefit its people. Previously, these profits enriched a small elite and the imperialist United States-controlled corporations. Under Chávez and now President Nicolás Maduro, these resources have been redirected to uplift the Venezuelan people. The imperialist regime of the United States opposes this shift because its corporations can no longer exploit Venezuela’s oil wealth and other resources, and is therefore determined to undermine President Maduro and his administration.

As a result, Venezuela has faced relentless United States-led imperialist aggression, including unilateral, illegal sanctions, political interference, sabotage and coup attempts. The unlawful seizure of the Venezuelan aircraft is part of this broader strategy to punish Venezuela for choosing democratic sovereignty, independence and a socialist path of transformation and development.

United States-led imperialist aggression threatens not only Venezuela but all nations that value democratic sovereignty, independence and the right to national self-determination. It is therefore imperative for progressive and revolutionary organisations, as well as peace-loving governments worldwide, to condemn the imperialist actions of the United States and demand the immediate return of Venezuela’s aircraft without tampering. The U.S. imperialist regime must be held accountable.

We reaffirm our support for the Bolivarian Revolution and the people of Venezuela. We stand with the democratically elected government of Venezuela and its people in their struggle against imperialist aggression. The SACP remains committed to working for a world where all nations are free to determine their sovereign paths of transformation and development, without interference from imperialism or any form of external influence.

Today, it is Venezuela; tomorrow, it could be any nation. No country is immune to United States imperialist schemes, aggression and unlawful actions.

Issued by Alex Mohubetswane Mashilo, National Spokesperson, SACP, 6 September 2024