The Council for the Transition in Cuba expressed this Saturday its rejection of the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, although it underscored that the regime of Nicolás Maduro “lacks legitimacy” and has been responsible for paving the way for the current crisis due to its ties with drug trafficking and authoritarian governments.
In a statement issued by its president, Manuel Cuesta Morúa, through Cubanet, the organization stated that it continues to support the Venezuelan democratic community, but reaffirms its “unwavering commitment to the principle of non-intervention.”
“Our support is for the Venezuelan democratic community; but also for the principle of non-intervention,” stated the Cuban intellectual, political scientist, and opposition leader.
“The Council does not endorse intervention of one state in another. We did so in the case of Ukraine and we consistently maintain that position,” he emphasized.
However, the Cuban opposition leader clarified that the government of Nicolás Maduro "cannot claim the sovereignty of the Venezuelan state because it has usurped popular sovereignty."
"It is an illegitimate government that has opened the door to this intervention with its ongoing attempt to usurp the presidency and its ties to drug trafficking and countries like Iran," he stated.
Cuesta Morúa argued that the loss of legitimacy of the Chavista regime weakened Venezuela's sovereignty and its role as an autonomous actor in the region.
“Maduro does not represent a sovereign bet; he represents an obstacle to freedom and democratic institutions in Latin America,” he added.
The Cuban opposition figure also took the opportunity to question the stance of the Havana government, which has condemned the military action in Caracas.
He said that the current crisis in Venezuela has trapped the Cuban government in incoherence.
It is inconsistent for the Cuban regime to condemn in Caracas what it supports in Kiev, by backing the Russian intervention in Ukraine, he emphasized.
The Council for the Transition insisted that its position is based on the consistency of principles, rather than ideological affinities.
"We defend national sovereignty, but also democratic legitimacy. No state has the right to intervene militarily in another, but no illegitimate regime has the right to hide behind sovereignty to oppress its people," he concluded.
The Council for Democratic Transition in Cuba (CTDC) was established on June 11, 2021, as a unified platform for the Cuban opposition, aimed at promoting a peaceful transition to democracy on the island.
In 2023, the organization obtained international legal recognition through the Hague Apostille, which certifies its authenticity in the field of private international law.
It is made up of a broad group of institutions, organizations, and citizens both from within the country and in exile, committed to reclaiming national sovereignty, promoting human rights, and building a new path for Cuba based on freedom and pluralism.
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