The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria (VSCN) has called for the immediate and unconditional lifting of United States sanctions on Venezuela, arguing that the restrictions are undermining humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts following twin earthquakes that reportedly claimed more than 2,000 lives and displaced over 50,000 people.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Dimeji Macaulay, the organisation expressed solidarity with the people of Venezuela and the Bolivarian Government, describing the earthquakes as a humanitarian catastrophe that has left extensive damage to homes, hospitals, schools, roads and other critical infrastructure.
The group extended its condolences to families of those who lost their lives and commended what it described as the resilience of the Venezuelan people in responding to the disaster despite years of economic hardship.
According to the VSCN, U.S. sanctions have significantly weakened Venezuela’s ability to respond effectively to the emergency by restricting access to financial resources and limiting the importation of medicines, medical equipment, technology and other essential supplies needed for relief and recovery.
The organisation argued that maintaining the sanctions during a humanitarian crisis amounts to collective punishment of ordinary citizens and urged Washington to permanently remove the restrictions to facilitate emergency assistance and long-term reconstruction efforts.
“There can be no moral or legal justification for maintaining an economic blockade against a country struggling to save lives and rebuild after a devastating natural disaster,” the statement said, adding that every day the sanctions remain in place prolongs the suffering of the Venezuelan people.
The campaign also urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to publicly support the removal of the sanctions, deepen diplomatic relations with Venezuela and contribute to international humanitarian efforts aimed at assisting victims of the disaster.
It further appealed to the African Union to reject unilateral coercive measures, describing them as contrary to international law, and called on African nations to support Venezuela’s recovery and reconstruction.
The group equally urged the United Nations to scale up humanitarian assistance and ensure that sanctions do not impede emergency relief operations or post-disaster rebuilding programmes.
Beyond governments and international institutions, the VSCN appealed to trade unions, youth organisations, civil society groups and progressive political movements across Africa and the wider international community to demonstrate solidarity with Venezuela by opposing what it described as economic warfare and supporting the country’s right to determine its future free from external interference.
Reaffirming its commitment to the Venezuelan cause, the organisation said it would continue campaigning until the sanctions are lifted, insisting that Venezuela’s recovery should not be undermined by external political considerations.
