JTUM sides with Maduro

The Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) has described the Opposition UNC’s recognition of Venezuelan National Assembly president Juan Guaido as “dangerous” and ‘backward” saying any US-led invasion of Venezuela would unleash a “deluge’ of refugees to our shores.

In a media release yesterday, JTUM senior leadership council member Vincent Cabrera said Venezuela’s economic problems had been sparked by the “extremely sharp fall in the cost of energy products and the illegal sanctions” by the US government.

JTUM also criticised the US Ambassador’s statement regarding TT’s position saying it was an attempt to intimidate the Government into changing its position regarding Venezuela. Meanwhile the Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) also criticised the Opposition’s position saying she had “got caught up in this foolishness” to publicly “pick a side” in the issue. “This is not a time to choose from among who may be able to seize power.

Our role was and is always to stand with our Venezuelan brothers and sisters throughout their difficulties, including and especially if that darkness is caused by those in their government or with access to it.

“Our hopes and prayers go out to them, that they may find their way back from this protracted and seemingly never-ending horror to sanity and safety. We stand ready to assist in any way that leads to the restoration of true democracy and call on all others to first and foremost respect the rights of the citizens in the decision making of their own country.”