Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
A coalition of progressive organizations from Africa, Europe, and the Americas has issued a joint statement calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Nicolás Maduro, the constitutionally recognized President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The statement, dated January 15, alleges that President Maduro was abducted by armed forces acting on behalf of the United States government, violating Venezuela's sovereignty, international law, and the principles of self-determination enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
The coalition, which includes Ghana's Convention People's Party (CPP) and People's National Convention (PNC), describes the incident as an escalation of U.S. interventionism and a threat to global norms governing relations between states. They warn that such actions, if left unchecked, could set a dangerous precedent for the use of unilateral force and state-sponsored abduction in international affairs.
The groups are calling for global protests at U.S. embassies and consulates, petitions to governments and parliaments to sever military and intelligence cooperation with the United States, and sustained social media campaigns using hashtags such as #HandsOffVenezuela and #FreeMaduro. They also reject foreign military intervention, sanctions, and regime-change efforts, insisting that disputes be resolved through peaceful negotiation and multilateral diplomacy.
The statement has been endorsed by various political parties, trade unions, youth movements, and civil society organizations, including the Botswanan National Front, the Socialist Party of Zambia, and Friends of the Congo (USA). The signatories express solidarity with the Venezuelan people and pledge to continue coordinated international actions against what they term imperialism and foreign domination.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also urged respect for Venezuela's independence and territorial integrity, while the African Union (AU) has reaffirmed its commitment to international law and condemned the alleged abduction. ⁴
