The President wrote on Twitter: “We remember the courage and dignity of the officials who resisted the criminal siege of the Cuban Embassy 20 years ago. A fascist act of statelessness rights in violation of international law. The Venezuelan people have a memory.”
The action against the island’s diplomatic headquarters in Venezuela took place on April 12, 2002, during the events surrounding the coup against then-President Hugo Chávez (1954-2013).
Violent groups from the extreme right concentrated in front of the Cuban representation’s facilities, destroying vehicles and cutting off vital electricity and water supplies, and threatening staff gathered inside the building.
These actions were part of a wave of persecution against all officials and militants who identified with the Bolivarian government, with acts of repression, arbitrary arrests and deaths by gunfire by the forces that joined the coup.
Maduro also highlighted the heroic attitude of the Venezuelan people, who on April 12 “courageously took to the streets to demand the return of commander Hugo Chávez and the restoration of democracy”.
“In the face of the silence of the media corporations, public communication worked,” said the head of state, recalling the work of militants and activists who informed the population about the prevailing reality in those days.
“On the Day of the Communicating People, I honor the courageous patriots who took to the streets to report on the reality of what was lived during the coup (…). We remain committed to showing the world the truth about our people,” the dignitary said.
On April 11, 2002, the Venezuelan right wing launched a coup insurgency against Hugo Chávez after a bloody media campaign aimed at smearing the Bolivarian leader’s figure and the progressive ideals he upheld.
The oligarchic leadership and the private media, in complicity with sections of the opposition and the church hierarchy, have conspired with elements of the military high command to overthrow the president and make Pedro Carmona de facto president.
Chávez remained kidnapped by the conspiratorial forces who, together with popular uprisings in the streets, put an end to the coup until his liberation on April 13 by pro-constitutional soldiers.
mem/whoop