Venezuela’s 214th Independence Day celebrated in Doha

Venezuelan ambassador Carlos Jose Mata Figueroa on Sunday lauded Qatar’s unwavering solidarity and its crucial role in defending the rights of nations to peace and prosperity, especially with Venezuela, marking the 214th anniversary of his nation’s Declaration of Independence.The celebration, which underlined the robust and deepening ties between the two nations, was attended by HE the Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi, HE the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed al-Mannai, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Protocol director HE ambassador Ibrahim Fakhro, and Department of American Affairs director HE Jassim Mohammed al-Asmakh.Also present were numerous ambassadors from the diplomatic corps in Qatar, including Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, ambassador of Eritrea and dean of the Diplomatic Corps; Jean-Marie Francois, ambassador of Haiti and dean of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries.Ambassador Figueroa opened his address by conveying "fraternal and heartfelt greetings" from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros, Vice-President Dr Delcy Rodríguez, and Foreign Minister Yván Gil.The envoy then thanked His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the Qatar government for their solidarity in defending the rights of nations to peace and prosperity — especially with Venezuela, highlighting Qatar’s consistent support for Venezuela on the international stage.Figueroa underscored the historical significance of July 5, 1811, marking 214 years since Venezuela’s birth as an independent nation. He paid tribute to Liberator Simón Bolívar, stressing his key role in guiding the emerging nation towards independence.The envoy recounted the intense debates leading up to the declaration, spotlighting Bolívar’s firm stance "in favour of independence” amidst public pressure, eventually leading to the momentous decision two days later.He reminded the audience of the protracted 11-year war for independence, which resulted in the loss of half the population, citing the immense sacrifice for freedom. He lauded Bolívar's arduous campaigns, noting his extensive travels for liberty – "the equivalent of half a journey around the Earth” – and his legacy of liberation rather than conquest. "His army never conquered; it only liberated”, he noted.Figueroa also pointed to Venezuela’s enduring commitment to its "republican and democratic principles and values, as well as friendship and respect in relations with the rest of the world”.He reiterated Venezuela’s "historic and unwavering position in favour of respecting international law and the sovereign equality among nations,” a principle President Maduro consistently champions.The envoy emphasised that, like 214 years ago, Venezuela continues to resist "a new form of colonialism – more than 1,000 unilateral coercive measures – and despite the intended economic suffocation, it grows through its own efforts”.Figueroa conveyed President Maduro’s global proposal for "an urgent call for a Summit for Peace and Against War, and for respect for international law as essential foundations of coexistence among nations”.He outlined that this vital summit should be "collectively led by the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, the Gulf Co-operation Council, and BRICS, with the commitment of global peace powers such as the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation, and with the full and active participation of nations from the Global South committed to multilateralism and peace”.This initiative, he said, reflects Venezuela’s active role in advocating for a more peaceful and equitable global order.In ending his remarks, the envoy quoted former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, saying: "We are not willing to bequeath to posterity the vile patrimony of a new colony, but the luminous patrimony of definitive independence.”