OWTU supports Maduro

“We are opposed to the opposition forces in Venezuela. We join arms with the suffering people in Venezuela, suffering which comes as a result of the opposing forces and their actions,” Roget said on Thursday at the Venezuelan Embassy, Port- of-Spain. He expressed solidarity with President Nicol?s Maduro in the wake of a month-long protests that has left 39 people dead.

Roget explained that they were gathered to express solidarity for the Venezuelan government, the people of Venezuela and for the Bolivarian Revolution. “The story is not properly told and the mass media is carrying a different line. The mass media is carrying the line of the opposing forces, the dark forces in Venezuela. Which forces are hell bent on the intent to undermine, to circumvent and topple the democratically elected government,” Roget said.

He added that misinformation carried by the north and mass media throughout the Caribbean region suggests that Maduro does not have the vast support of working people in the region.

He added that they highlight in a negative way the work of Maduro to show and advance their own cause, “so they can seize power from a democratically elected government.” He said that as progressive trade unionists they understand because they are also victims of a mass media, “who continue to push the establishment line.” Venezuelan Ambassador to TT Coromoto Godoy-Calderon said she was happy to see the support of the working class of Trinidad and Tobago and she described Maduro as a president of the working class.

She said that on May 1, when Maduro issued a decree for a new constitution, the president made a historical step, “defending democracy and socialism in Venezuela. Social inclusion and social justice.” She said his call for a new constituent assembly will deepen the rights of the people. “At this time the dark forces of imperialism are attacking our country.” She stressed that Venezuelans are a people of freedom and of peace.

“Because we come from (Venezuelan liberator Sim?n) Bol?var and (late former president Hugo ) Chavez we will defend our land, our solidarity, our independence, with our own life if necessary,” she vowed. Four union representatives read solidarity statements expressing support for Maduro and his government.