Global Peace and Justice Auckland (GPJA) is calling all supporters of peace and social justice to come to a meeting next week to plan protests against the US-led assaults on Venezuela.

GPJA spokesperson Mike Treen says that "as usual, when the US empire prepares to overthrow governments it doesn’t like, through war if feels it has to, the lies and deception escalate.

"Venezuela needs our solidarity as it fights for its survival as an independent nation.

"The problems Venezuela has have in large part been caused or dramatically exacerbated by two decades of hostility from all US governments since the original election of Hugo Chavez in 1998.

"For two decades the government and working people of Venezuela have tried to put the interests of the majority ahead of the demands of the Venezuelan elites who had looted the country's oil wealth brought the county to ruin.

"The US has supported coups and tried to delegitimise the democratic processes by encouraging the opposition to stage violent protests and coups. The US has used its economic power to try and cripple the economy through unlawful sanctions. The US government spokespeople have made it clear they want US companies to control Venezuelan oil.

"We must continue to ensure that the NZ government gives no recognition to the coup-makers in Venezuela and continue to recognise the legitimate government led by the elected president Nicholas Maduro.

"We must organise to give solidarity to the people of Venezuela.

"Come to an emergency planning meeting at 7pm, Tuesday, February 12, at the Unite Union office, 6a Western Springs Rd, Auckland to plan action against the US-led coup and war plans.

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