Congress flags UN Charter violation in Venezuela, Left accuses Centre of pro-US tilt

New Delhi: Congress on Monday said the unilateral actions taken by the United States in Venezuela "transgress" the United Nations Charter and numerous international treaties and insisted that the will of the Venezuelan people be given utmost priority and that Venezuelan resources are utilised for the betterment of its people.

The Foreign Affairs Department of Congress said in a statement that respect for national sovereignty and peaceful coexistence have formed the bedrock of the post World War-II rules-based world order while expressing "grave concern at the unilateral actions" taken by the US, which transgress the settled principles of international law, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter and numerous international treaties.

"Any kinetic action that circumscribe these without the express sanction of the UN risk the resurgence of primordial rules of statecraft and undermine global stability....Congress urges that the will of the Venezuelan people be given utmost priority and that Venezuelan resources are utilised for the betterment of the Venezuelan people, as guaranteed by the principles of Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources," it said.

CPI(M) demanded that the Modi government "abandon" its "disgraceful position" and come out categorically against the US "aggression and illegal" acts in Venezuela, claiming that there is not a word of condemnation about the gross violation of the UN Charter and international law, something which even some European allies of the US have mentioned, while reacting to the developments.

"The Modi-led BJP government’s response to the blatant aggression against Venezuela and the abduction of its President and wife by the United States armed forces, is craven and unworthy of India’s long held position of defence of independence and sovereignty of nations," it said.

The statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs only expresses ‘deep concern at the developments in Venezuela’ and calls for ‘dialogue to ensure peace and stability in the region’, it said.

"India’s stand is in sharp contrast to that taken by its BRICS partners like Brazil and South Africa who have unequivocally and strongly condemned the US aggression and demanded the release of President Maduro and his wife. This pro-US stand is in line with the Modi government’s right wing ideology and strategic ties with the Trump administration. By this stand India has abdicated any claim to represent the interests of the Global South," it said.

CPI expressed its "deep concern and anguish" over the position adopted by the Modi government, which has "chosen to remain silent and, in effect, align itself with US imperialism" on this critical issue.

"Such a stance represents a shameful departure from India’s historic commitment to non-alignment, anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism, and solidarity with oppressed nations of the Global South. The kidnapping of a sitting President by a foreign power is nothing short of state terrorism. It sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the sovereignty of all developing countries. If such acts are normalised, no nation of the Global South can feel secure from imperialist coercion, regime change operations, and military intimidation," the CPI said.

The CPI demanded that the government immediately abandon its equivocal and pro-imperialist posture and clearly condemn the US aggression against Venezuela. "India must raise its voice in defence of international law, national sovereignty, and the right of peoples to determine their own political and economic systems without external interference," it added.