Canadians call on visiting Venezuelan politician to support peace talks and stop inciting violence

TORONTO, May 6, 2014 - Maria Corina Machado, a controversial and polarizing figure involved in the 2002 coup attempt in Venezuela, is scheduled to speak in Ottawa and Toronto this week. She is a former opposition member of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and has been at the forefront of the current crisis; inciting street riots and rejecting dialogue with the Government .
 
Concerned Canadian organizations are calling on members of parliament  to pressure Machado to participate in dialogue with the democratically elected Government and stop ongoing violence.

“Maria Corina Machado has been travelling the world for several months  advocating for intervention in Venezuelan politics but has disingenuously failed to mention her role in promoting the violence that has taken place since February 12,” said journalist Pablo Vivanco.  “Given her questionable history and her active encouragement of street violence, we caution decision-makers and others in Canada from associating with her and to contextualize her message.”

Machado calls for a boycott of the government-sponsored “Dialogue Table,” which looks to address grievances and political differences openly in a televised space. Those coming to the table include government politicians, the Catholic Church, business leaders and opposition politicians including Henrique Capriles Radonski (the runner-up in the 2012 and 2013 Presidential elections.).  Machado’s call for a boycott stands in the way of peace.

“Machado portrays herself as a persecuted pro-democracy leader but her track record is one of anti-democratic efforts seeking to oust governments”  said Raul Burbano from the Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network. “Canadians support the right of Venezuelans to live in peace and stability.

Encouraging Machado to cease her disruptive measures and advance genuine peace is key to advancing a reconciliation agenda.”
Contact:
 
Raul Burbano The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network 
416 522 8615   
or 
Pablo Vivanco BASICS News 416 890 3986

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SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH VENEZUELA

Come and protest the presence of Maria Corina Machado in Toronto, opposition terrorist who refuses to sit down at the peace negotiations in Venezuela.  
TODAY, May 8th
6:15 pm - 7:30 pm
Canadian Council for the Americas
40 King St. West, 21st floor