by Stephen Lendman

The Group of 77 (G-77 countries) at the UN was established on June 15, 1964. Its ranks now include 134 countries.

"(T)he original name was retained due to its historical significance," it said. It calls itself the UN's "largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries."

"(A)rticulating and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic issues within the United Nations system, and promote South-South cooperation for development."

In early December, Congress passed "S. 2142: Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014."

Unanimously by voice vote. Not a single profile in courage opposed what demanded denunciation. On December 18, Obama signed S. 2142 into law.

Illegal legislation defying international law. Usurping power afforded solely to Security Council members.

The world's leading human rights abuser targeted one of its staunchest defenders. Guaranteeing fundamental rights for all its citizens.

All Venezuelans are considered "equal before the law." Polar opposite how America is governed. Of, by and for its privileged elites alone. Mocking real democracy. Existing in name only.

Bolivia's President Evo Morales chairs the G-77+China. On Monday, he said:

"The Group of 77 and China expresses (their) strong opposition to the unilateral sanctions imposed by the US government against Venezuela."

Freezing assets. Denying visas. Against targeted Venezuelan officials. Wrongfully accused of human rights violations.

Relating to months earlier anti-government protests. Leaving dozens dead. Many more injured and arrested.

Washington's dirty hands very much involved. Wanting Venezuela’s government destabilized. Toppled. Replaced by pro-Western stooges. Serving US interests. Ending Bolivarian fairness.

A G-77+China resolution saying:

"The Group of 77 plus China reiterates the urgent need to repeal the legislative measure taken against Venezuela which undermines the Charter of the United Nations and international law, especially the principles of non-intervention in internal affairs and equal rights and self-determination of peoples."

Morales expressed bloc solidarity. Supporting Venezuela. Against "violations of international law that in no way contributes to the spirit of political and economic dialogue between the two countries."

Separately calling US sanctions "economic aggression." Urging international community unity against lawless, unilateral, coercive US measures against developing countries.

Hugo Chavez established model Venezuelan democracy. Polar opposite America's sham system.

Chavismo lives. President Nicolas Maduro carries Chavez's torch. Venezuelans have social benefits Americans can't imagine.

Including free healthcare and education to the highest levels. Considered fundamental human rights.

Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Minister Rafael Ramirez responded to US sanctions saying:

Their "most serious aspect…isn't related to the fact that they are going to cause damage to us, but rather that they are a blank cheque, an incentive, to the groups which are on the margins of the law and the margins of the Constitution in Venezuela."

Telling them Washington supports violence. A longstanding US specialty. Saying anti-government lawlessness is OK.

Caracas resident Jose Gimenez told Telesur:

"The sanctions against Venezuela are just another act of US colonialism and imperialism, and in spite of the fact that the lion wants to make himself out to be a sheep, he is still a lion."

In August, US travel bans targeted 24 Venezuelan officials. Wrongfully accused of human rights violations.

In 2011, state oil company PDVSA was sanctioned. For legal dealings with Iran. So were three Venezuelan officials. For allegedly supporting the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

On December 17, Venezuelan National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello headlined a New York Times op ed "Hectoring Venezuela on Human Rights."

Citing police brutality against scores of demonstrators in New York and other US cities.

Saying "(w)hile Congress accused Venezuela's government of cracking down on dissent, African-American communities across the United States expressed outrage over police killings of unarmed black men."

"Then, as legislators on Capitol Hill criticized Venezuelan officials for purported violations of democratic norms, a Senate report revealed the extent of torture by the Central Intelligence Agency."

Right-wing extremists staged anti-government protests in Venezuela. From February to June. In upscale areas. Middle and upper class.

In around 18 of 334 municipalities. Most Venezuelans opposed them. At the time, government officials denounced violence.

Cabello said "anti-government demonstrators…used violence to try to oust our democratically elected government."

"Rather than engaging in lawful and peaceful demonstrations, those protesters used barricades and burning debris to block streets. They also caused the deaths of several motorcyclists by stringing wires across roads."

"Our government responded with restraint, allowing those violent demonstrations to go on for several months."

"Every effort was made to ensure that only protesters who directly violated laws or placed the lives of others in danger were detained."

"(T)hose responsible for burning public buses with Molotov cocktails, or who set fire to a public university, were rightly arrested and charged - as were 17 state security agents accused of using excessive force against protesters, who are awaiting trial."

"(U)nrest subsided" around mid-year. "(O)pposition (elements) lost credibility."

Opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable coalition head Ramon Guillermo Aveledo resigned over internal disagreements.

Months earlier, Maduro extended an olive branch to Obama, Cabello said. By naming a US ambassador. Urging Washington respond in kind.

Maduro appointed Cabello to head "a high-level commission to repair relations with the United States government," he said.

"To date, President Obama has neither accepted our ambassador, nor offered his own in return," he added. "And there has been no sign from Washington of any intent to engage with my commission."

"Imposing sanctions against a country that has caused no harm to the United States is no way to move toward a constructive relationship."

"Unilateral sanctions against other nations have usually failed and have been rejected by a majority of the international community."

"A majority of Venezuelans, regardless of party affiliation, reject these sanctions and view them as baseless aggression."

"We will not be bullied by efforts to weaken or discredit our government."

"We have tried to move toward improving relations with the Obama administration, but have been rebuffed."

"We can only wonder if the timing of these sanctions is an attempt to distract public opinion from the exposure of rights violations by United States law enforcement officers."

Washington is a world-class bully. Targeting one nation after another. Wanting its way imposed on others.

Demanding subservience. By subversion. Destabilization. Coups. Wars.

Ravaging planet earth for power and profit. Tolerating no opposition. Internally or abroad.

Risking global war for unchallenged dominance. Wanting it made safe for monied interests. At the expense of liberty and justice for all.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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