As Venezuela’s elected president faces a recall referendum pushed for by Venezuela’s US-backed corporate elite, Leonel Vivas, that country’s ambassador in Australia, released the following statement on July 5.

On the July 5, 1811, the people of Venezuela, under the leadership of our national hero Simon Bolivar, decided to become free. The Venezuelans then said to the world: we do not want to continue being a colony of the Kingdom of Spain! From that emblematic date, a heroic patriotic fight began. It lasted 10 long years, resulting in the independence of our country.

That July 5 was a glorious day. For this reason, we consider it the National Day of Venezuela.

In 2004, commemorating yet another anniversary of the declaration of its independence, Venezuela again faces crossroads: reaffirm its sovereignty for ever; or jeopardise its destiny to internal and external selfish interests.

The necessary process of transformations of the Venezuelan society, currently unfolding in Venezuela under the leadership of President Hugo Chavez Frias, will be tested on August 15, when a decision will be made for this process: to continue, or to be brought to a standstill.

On that day, Venezuelans must decide either to follow the path of a more just, more sovereign and a more dignified nation, faithful to the thoughts of Bolivar; or to remain a country of inequality and injustice, subject to foreign interference.

We are convinced that on August 15 the majority of Venezuelans will ratify the decision to construct a nation based on justice, equality and independence as it was the dream of our national heroes, who fought with courage, dedication and sacrifice on that July 5, 1811, to make Venezuela a country free from the colonialism of the Spanish empire.

From Green Left Weekly, July 14, 2004.
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