30/05/2008
The achievements of the Venezuelan Government outlined at the Fire Brigades Union in Great Britain

Representatives from Cuba and Venezuela urged members of the Fire Brigades Union of Great Britain (FBU) to support the Latin American people in their struggle against imperialism and in work towards democracy and social progress.

Alvaro Sánchez, counsellor of the Venezuelan Embassy in London and Luis Marrón, counsellor of the Cuban Embassy in London, addressed the audience at the Annual Conference of the Fire Brigades Union of Great Britain (FBU) in Southport, England.

The Venezuelan diplomat explained the social and political transformations that Venezuela has undergone over the past 9 years, since the election of Hugo Chavez and the approval of the 1999 Constitution by popular vote.

Sánchez stated that the new constitutional framework has helped Venezuelans to undo neo-liberal policies of privatization that had been implemented in previous decades, and to exercise full control over the basic industries and natural resources of the country.

“Our social and political achievements are based, to a great extent, on European solidarity campaigns, as well as solidarity campaigns from other parts of the world”, Sánchez said. Likewise, Sánchez urged the participants to join the Venezuelan Information Centre (VIC) and to support solidarity campaigns that work with the Venezuelan nation.

Additionally, during the question and answer session, members of the FBU exchanged ideas about the sabotage that Venezuela has been a target of both domestically and internationally in recent years.
 
Luis Marrón from the Cuban Embassy stated that the Cuban people have a commitment to peace and social progress worldwide. However, he argued that unfortunately there are powerful imperial influences at play that label Cuba a terrorist State.

“On the contrary, we have been victims of terrorism”, said Marrón, and concluded saying “people in Europe have to be alert and proactive in order to help Cubans and Latin Americans”.

This fringe meeting was sponsored by VIC and Cuba Solidarity Campaign, CSC.