On the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, the leaders of communities from Latin America and Venezuela, highlighted the role of the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela as a world reference in the defense of ancestral rights; through an interview for Venezolana de Televisión (VTV). In this sense, the Coordinator of the Guaicaipuro Front, Nicia Maldonado, said that the president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, “has been key in the visibility of indigenous struggles, consolidating spaces for participation and claim that today are recognized beyond the national borders.”
Maldonado recalled that the inclusion process began 25 years ago with the leadership of Commander Hugo Chávez, who promoted the constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples and pointed out that since then significant progress has been made, such as the direct election of indigenous representatives and the strengthening of their territorial rights. “The attack that the United States wants to make to our president is because we gave us voice and face to indigenous peoples. With money, love is not bought; President Maduro caught the heart of our communities,” he said.
From Honduras, the member of the United Indigenous Movement, Martha Meza, highlighted the commitment of President Xiomara Castro with the native peoples and indigenous women. He stressed that, despite historical obstacles, important agreements have been reached for the claim of rights. Meza also rejected misinformation campaigns over Venezuela and said that the country has shown solidarity and leadership in the region.
By Guatemala, the representative of the Mayan people K’iche ‘, Sonia Evarista López, addressed the challenges facing the original communities in the defense of their territories. He indicated that the fight continues in the face of colonial structures that still persist, and highlighted the active role of women and youth in cultural preservation and community resistance.
Finally, the member of the indigenous people Kuna de Panama, Arnelio Brenes, denounced the policies of President José Raúl Mulino that affect the ancestral territories. He informed that indigenous youth have assumed leadership in the mobilization and defense of their rights, reaffirming regional commitment to self -determination and justice for original peoples.
VTV/lm/sb
