Row as Scottish Socialist Party backs dictatorship in Venezuela

Hundreds of protesters have been killed in the South American state since the collapse of the world oil price cratered its petrol-economy.

There has been civil unrest, food shortages and hyperinflation of more than 1m per cent.

Maduro, who was elected president in 2013, has been blamed for mismanaging the situation and undermining democracy by rewriting the constitution in his favour.

After a pro-Maduro constituent assembly of Venezuela was elected in 2017, Maduro was re-elected president in 2018 after banning his opponents.

Last month, the leader of the opposition-held National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, used the disputed Presidential election to declare himself the interim president.

He was immediately backed by the US government, and has since been recognised by the UK, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, and other EU countries.

But Maduro, who is backed by Russia, China, Turkey and the Venezuelan military elite, has refused to step down and has accused Mr Guaidó of leading a coup.

The Scottish Socialist Party, which was part of the official Yes Scotland campaign in 2014, claimed there was “conspiracy” to overthrow the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The other parties in Yes Scotland - the SNP and Scottish Greens - were urged to distance themselves from the Socialists’ remarks.

On Sunday, Maduro also rejected the EU’s request for snap elections.

In a statement, the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP), led by former MSP Colin Fox, condemned the intervention of “British, American and other western governments” in the crisis.

It said: “This is part of a wider conspiracy to overthrow the democratically elected Socialist Government and replace it with a dependent pro-western government.

“That Venezuela is experiencing a profound economic and political crisis is beyond doubt.

"However, the Scottish Socialist Party condemns the role of, in particular, the United States in fuelling this crisis.

“Britain and the United States claim that they are promoting democracy but given their track record as regards Venezuela this is the height of hypocrisy.

“ In the past these governments were enthusiastic supporters of violent pro-western military dictatorships and more recently; even when the Socialist Party was recording landslide electoral victories they we calling for its violent overthrow.

“The present government of Venezuela is the legitimate government of that country elected in successive elections. The so called 'democratic opposition' contain many elements which are violently anti-democratic and glorify in the past fascist dictatorship.

“Their aim and that of their American backers is to restore such a regime.

“The Scottish Socialist Party stands full square behind the Socialist Government in Venezuela, condemns the counter revolution which is now taking place and the central role being played in this counter-revolution by the United States.”

Despite not mentioning him by name, an SSP spokesman confirmed the statement was intended to show support for Maduro. 

MSP Maurice Golden, Scottish Conservative chief whip, said: “The Scottish Socialist Party’s ideological defence of Maduro is predictable and depressing.

“The human suffering taking place currently in Venezuela is not going to be solved by Scottish Socialist party posturing.

“All parties should denounce this position and their colleagues in the independence movement should be particularly clear.”

A Scottish LibDem spokesperson said: “With 3m having already fled the county and inflation running at ten million percent, it is clear Venezuela is in a desperately unstable situation.  

"With that in mind, perhaps the Scottish Socialists should consider stepping their revolutionary fantasies down a few notch."

Green MSP Ross Greer said: "To see the Tories exploit the tragedy in Venezuela for party politics here is sickening but not surprising.

"They can't stop selling weapons and providing unwavering support to the Saudi regime as it commits war crimes in Yemen and brutally oppresses its own people.

"The Greens stand consistently for human rights, whether it’s against the abuses of the Venezuelan or the Saudi governments.

"The Tories are too busy lining their pockets with blood money to be nearly as consistent so we certainly won't be listening to their crass opportunism on this issue."

Stephen Gethins MP, the SNP's Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said: "The situation unfolding in Venezuela is deeply concerning.

"The political and economic crisis gripping the country is spiralling into a regional humanitarian disaster and we are at risk of allowing a lost generation of Venezuelans.

“The primacy of returning peace and security to the people of Venezuela must be at the forefront of international efforts, and the international community must now redouble its efforts towards pursuing democratic and peaceful routes.

"We do not support the Trump administrations heavy-handed and unconstructive response of sanctioning the country’s national oil producer, as this will only serve to compound the economic plight facing the country.

"Amnesty international and the International Rescue Committee have reported thousands of illegal arrests in recent months. Over 1.5m Venezuelans fled the country between 2014-18, and there are currently nearly 3m children estimated to be missing classes due to the crisis. This dire situation cannot continue.

“The SNP will continue to champion democratic and peaceful measures as a means of ending the civil unrest and tackling inequality and injustice."

Jeremy Hunt, the UK foreign secretary, said the people of Venezuela had suffered enough and it was time for a new start with free and fair elections.

He said: “The oppression of the illegitimate, kleptocratic Maduro regime must end. Those who continue to violate the human rights of ordinary Venezuelans under an illegitimate regime will be called to account. The Venezuelan people deserve a better future.”