Support human dignity In Venezuela
To the Editor:
I write you as Western North Carolina's regional director for the Alliance for American Leadership. I am horrified by US actions undermining the autonomy of the Venezuelan people.
The United States should not be putting its hands into Venezuela’s oil production or revenues. Our country should not be making military strikes with the goal of pillaging resources of sovereign nations.
Respect for self-determination and permanent sovereignty over natural resources is a core principle of international law, reflected in the UN Charter, UN General Assembly Resolution 1803, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It is also consistent with our Appalachian values of non-aggression.
Rather than extracting wealth from vulnerable countries, the United States should focus on strengthening alliances and providing humanitarian assistance to people in need. I urge Rep. Chuck Edwards, our senators and the Trump Administration to take immediate, concrete steps to halt efforts that would appropriate Venezuela’s oil revenues and instead pursue policies that address the country’s urgent humanitarian emergency.
By supporting recovery in Venezuela, the United States can help alleviate human suffering and reduce the drivers of illegal migration. American leadership should be defined by support for human dignity, not piracy.
Stone Marlowe,
Whittier
