Presidential Speech Denies Humanitarian Crisis

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro gave an unexpected speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 26, speaking on Venezuela’s political, economic, and social situation. His address to the General Assembly was partially in response to joint claims by other nations that the Venezuelan government is guilty of committing crimes against humanity.

President Maduro had not attended the United Nations General Assembly meetings since 2015. According to Reuters, he had originally stated on September 18 that he was not going to attend this year’s meeting, due to safety concerns. “I want to go to New York but I have to take care of my security,” Maduro said at a news conference leading up to the annual event.

President Maduro spent a large part of his address discussing relations with the United States. As reported by Foreign Policy, his appearance came one day after the Trump administration announced new financial sanctions against members of President Maduro’s inner circle. Charged with corruption, these individuals include Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, who joined him on his trip to New York City for the General Assembly meeting. During his speech, President Maduro described the sanctions as “illegal” and “unilateral.”

In his address to the General Assembly on September 25, President Donald Trump briefly discussed Venezuela’s current situation, saying, “Not long ago, Venezuela was one of the richest countries on Earth. Today, socialism has bankrupted the oil-rich nation and driven its people into abject poverty.”  

Throughout the annual meeting, several member states - particularly those of Latin America - spoke out against the actions of Maduro’s government, citing violations of human rights. According to Voice of America (VOA), shortly before President Maduro’s speech, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, and Canada officially requested that the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate the president. This referral is the first time that UN-member countries have recommended another member country to the ICC, noted Time.

Possible charges against the Venezuelan government include murder, torture, and crimes against humanity. Andres Rodriguez Pedotti, the Foreign Minister of Paraguay, explained the multilateral request: “To remain indifferent or speculative in front of this reality can be perceived as being complicit with the regime. We are not going to be complicit.”

President Maduro’s speech, reported on by UN News, was generally defensive, fighting back against what other nations said about his administration. He promised that his speech described the truth of Venezuela’s situation, claiming that the nation “is on its feet… and will never come to its knees.” He asserted that the current migration crisis is a fabrication by the media so that the United States can take control of Venezuela.

Maduro, who has been attempting to meet with Trump since the 2016 U.S. election, claimed to be open to dialogue with the American president. A meeting between Presidents Maduro and Trump did not transpire at the United Nations General Assembly, and a dialogue has not yet been scheduled between the two.