February 13, 2021
The negative impact of the coercive and unilateral measures of the United States on the Venezuelan people has made its way into the news this week.
After several days of official visit to the country, the special rapporteur of the United Nations (UN), Alena Douhan, assured that the policies of economic asphyxiation has accentuated the scenario of crisis and internal tensions, with direct impact on health, migration, separation of families and all aspects of social life.
At a press conference in Caracas, the UN independent expert urged Washington to reconsider and remove all sanctions against the Venezuelan public sector and to refrain from imposing blockades on the South American nation.
Douhan asserted that the punitive actions implemented by the United States have slowed down Venezuela’s development due to the severe impact on its economy, causing a 99 percent drop in foreign exchange earnings in recent years.
In parallel to the official’s visit, representatives of the Latin American Foundation for Human Rights and Social Development (Fundalatin) and the Venezuelan Civil Association (Sures), presented the negative impact of the blockade to the National Assembly last Thursday.
Pasqualina Curcio, advisor to Fundalatin, said that the country has lost more than 194 billion dollars as a result of the sanctions, which were supported by the previous National Assembly.
For her part, Lucrecia Hernández, director of Sures, pointed out that these sanctions have violated the fundamental rights of Venezuelans, and called for those responsible to be held civilly, criminally and administratively liable.
Meanwhile, President Nicolás Maduro stressed the day before the UN expert’s recognition of the impact on the country of the economic asphyxiation implemented by the White House and its allies.
The UN rapporteur has called on the United States and the European Union to review and lift the sanctions against Venezuela, because they have exacerbated an enormous humanitarian crisis against the people.
Maduro recalled that the Bolivarian government has repeatedly denounced the severe impact on social, cultural, educational and economic life caused by the systematic adoption of a blockade policy.
Source: Resumen Latinoamericano, translation North America bureau