These events violate the sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to self-determination of the Venezuelan people. They constitute a serious violation of international law and the charter of The United Nations and set a dangerous precedent and risk to regional peace and stability. 

PSI expresses our deepest solidarity with the Venezuelan people and working class who face further uncertainty, instability and risks to their life, wellbeing and social rights. The future of Venezuela belongs solely to Venezuelans and must be decided through their own social struggles, democratic processes and collective decisions. 

These actions of the Trump Administration are a direct threat to the stability, peace and national sovereignty of the countries in the region and are designed to intimidate and undermine progressive forces in the region that do not agree with the foreign policies and interests of the Trump Administration.  

The actions in Venezuela overnight represent an escalation in the context of Trumps recent unacceptable interventions into the domestic politics of both Argentina and Brazil that further normalises the idea of regional spheres of interest. These interventions are doubly dangerous as they normalise military intervention by regional powers into the domestic affairs of countries who do not support their foreign policy objective. This creates great danger for the countries of the inter Americas and sets a dangerous precedent for other regions.  

PSI condemns Trumps statements that US oil companies will be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela's oil industry and any attempt to seize Venezuela's oil, land and other energy resources. These statements expose the narrative that these interventions are based on the interests of the Venezuelan people and highlight Trumps continued support for US corporate interests over workers interests, peace and human rights.  

PSI demands:  

1. An immediate cessation of US military aggression: 

2. A return to diplomatic avenues to resolve the crisis: 

3. Guarantees for the immediate safety and freedom of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores:  

4. Unconditional respect for international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. 

PSI General Secretary, Daniel Bertossa said: 

We reject unilateral military action in breach of international law. History shows that aggression by global hegemons is rarely constructive and usually leads to devastation and a total collapse of democracy. Military action by external powers to force regime change in the name of democracy always fails when it is designed to benefit their own multinational corporations. These events affect all workers, and all workers must respond.  

PSI expresses its solidarity with Venezuelan workers and trade unions. We declare ourselves in a state of alert and mobilisation to support the people of Venezuela. 

A just and democratic future for Venezuela can only come about through the actions of its own people. We call on workers and trade unions to defend peace, democracy, self-determination, and human rights. 

Daniel Bertossa, PSI General Secretary

Euan Gibb, Regional Secretary PSI Inter-America

Sharleen Stewart, Co-president PSI Inter-America

Federico Dávila, PSI First Vice President