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Palestinian factions express support for Venezuelan dictator: "The Palestinian and Venezuelan peoples face the same enemy – which is the US"

Headline: "Ramallah: A vigil of solidarity with Venezuela against the failed coup attempt"
          "Dozens of citizens participated yesterday [Jan. 24, 2019] in a solidarity vigil before the Venezuela Delegation in Ramallah in protest against the failed coup attempt against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (Maduro's reelection in 2018 is not recognized by most of the international community, and the US and others have encouraged support for the opposition leader; see note below –Ed.), and blamed the US for sponsoring this coup.
The participants in the vigil, which was organized by the [Palestinian] National and Islamic Forces, waved slogans that condemn the coup attempt, support President Maduro, and express appreciation for Venezuela’s positions in favor of our people. They also again voiced calls of anger and condemnation over the interference of the US and its president, Donald Trump, in the internal affairs of some states.
Head of the Latin America Department in the Fatah Movement Commission of International Relations Muhammad Oudeh conveyed a statement to Venezuelan Ambassador in Palestine Maher Taha, in which he expressed the [Fatah] Movement’s position regarding the coup attempt, its concern in light of the events taking place in Venezuela, and its condemnation of the interference of some states in its internal affairs and direct [interference] through support of the coup attempt.
Oudeh again emphasized the movement’s position that supports respecting the sovereignty of states and their internal governments, and emphasized its solidarity with Venezuela’s legitimate aspirations to increase stability, unity, and prosperity through comprehensive peaceful national dialogue, in the framework of a regional and international bloc that will respect international law, the UN convention, and peaceful coexistence between states.’ …
As part of the [Palestinian] National [and Islamic] Forces’ speech, Deputy Secretary-General of the Democratic Front [for the Liberation of Palestine] Qais Abd Al-Karim said: ‘Our people stands by Venezuela and its defense of democracy in the face of the coup sponsored by the US.’
He noted that this coup is one of the shameful methods of the Trump administration’s interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs and the American imposition of imperialism on the world.
He said: ‘The Palestinian and Venezuelan peoples face the same enemy – which is the US, which is attempting to eliminate the Palestinian cause by announcing what is called "the deal of the century" (i.e. referring to US President Trump’s as yet unpublished Middle East peace plan),' and emphasized that our people will stand against all of these attempts.”
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Venezuelan crisis 2018-2019 - Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro won a second term in the Venezuelan presidential election in May 2018; however, the election was determined to be fraudulent and Venezuela has been considered to be without a president by most of the international community since Jan. 10, 2019, when Nicolás Maduro’s legitimate term ended. Maduro nevertheless has continued as president, supported by countries like Russia, China, Mexico, Syria, Iran, and Turkey. The US, Canada, the EU, and others have condemned this and encouraged support for Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country’s legitimate president. Guaidó proclaimed himself "”acting president” on Jan. 23, 2019, but Maduro has refused to step down. The countries supporting Guaidó have been accused by Russia and others of fomenting a coup. Dozens have been killed in protests against Maduro and his government, and the people are suffering under food and medicine shortages.

Palestinian National and Islamic Forces - an unaffiliated coordinating body comprised of representatives from factions in the PLO and outside the PLO. The Palestinian National and Islamic Forces were established in 2000 shortly after the start of the PA terror campaign (the second Intifada, 2000-2005), under the authorization of Yasser Arafat and the leadership of terrorist Marwan Barghouti. During the PA terror campaign it played an active role in coordinating political efforts and terror attacks against Israel, but since the end of the campaign it has been less significant and its activity is primarily centered in Gaza.


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