PCP criticizes the Portuguese Government’s decision to go unrepresented in the swearing-in ceremony of the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and considers that this attitude of national capitulation to the European Union, part of an escalation of destabilization and aggression against Venezuela, opposed the defence of Portugal’s interests, and those of the Portuguese people and the Portuguese community in Venezuela.

PCP considers that Portugal should conduct its institutional relations with Venezuela in accordance with the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, and distancing itself from actions of destabilization and aggression against that Country and people.

PCP underlines that Nicolás Maduro was legitimately elected President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for the 2019-2025 term, in conformity with the will of the Venezuelan people expressed in the results of the presidential election last May 20th, and according to the Venezuelan constitution.

PCP condemns the increased escalation of interference promoted by the US and followed subserviently by the countries of the so-called ‘Lima Group’. Escalation that is part of an operation of economic, financial, political and diplomatic destabilization and blockade, intensified by the US Administration led by Donal Trump, including the application of sanctions and even threat of military intervention, defying the United Nations Charter and aimed against, first and foremost, the Venezuelan economy and the living conditions of its people.

PCP appeals to solidarity with the defence Venezuelan national sovereignty and independence and the resistance and struggle of the Venezuelan people in their continued pursuit of the achievement and advances paved by the Bolivarian Revolution.

Following the invitation by the Venezuelan authorities, PCP will be represented in the swearing-in ceremony of Nicolás Maduro as President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for the 2019-2025 term, by João Pimenta Lopes, PCP member of the European Parliament and Vice-president of the delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EUROLAT).