October 10, 2022
The Network of Intellectuals, Artists and Social Movements in Defense of Humanity (REDH) expresses its deepest solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government for the catastrophe of Las Tejerías – Aragua State.
The heavy rains have generated a landslide of great proportions, and the authorities have confirmed that 35 people have died and 52 remain missing. Las Tejerías has been declared a tragedy zone and a 3-day national mourning period has been declared in Venezuela.
We join the call to provide support and join efforts to assist the affected people while the heavy rains persist, which have not ceased and are also impacting other towns in Central America and the Caribbean.
The intensification of meteorological phenomena, which in recent days have caused enormous damage, is due to the effects of climate change. There is a relationship, which must be made clear, between capitalism and its logics of exploitation and accumulation with these climatic phenomena. At the same time, there is an imminent need to advance in development models that respect nature and life on the planet, and it is necessary that the corresponding international bodies address this problem and its effects without delay.
Faced with the tragedy affecting the Venezuelan people, we reiterate more strongly than ever our call for the lifting of unilateral coercive measures imposed by the US and other countries, which have negative repercussions on the enjoyment of human rights and only limit access to reconstruction, infrastructure recovery, health and essential rights for the lives of people at all times and even more so in times of facing the unleashing of nature.
All our fraternity with Venezuela, which is always at the forefront of international solidarity, and never hesitates to generously support the people in need.
Finally, we join in the mourning of the heroic Venezuelan people and accompany from our hearts the people, families and communities affected by this unfortunate tragedy.
Source: Network in Defense of Humanity (REDH)
Translation: Resumen Latinoamericano – US