Venezuelan Independence Day
Statement by the Honourable Jim Karygiannis

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to members of the Canadian Venezuelan community on the occasion of Venezuelan Independence Day.

On July 5, 1811, seven of the ten provinces belonging to the Captaincy General of Venezuela adopted The Venezuelan Declaration of Independence, thus breaking away from the Spanish Crown. The territory became known as The American Confederacy of Venezuela and marked the birth of the first independent nation in South America.

In 2014, Venezuelan Independence Day will be a bittersweet occasion as Venezuelans and members of the international Venezuelan Diaspora witness the struggle for greater democracy in the South American
country.

I have worked closely with the Canadian Venezuelan Diaspora with respect to the protection of human rights and the democratic process in Venezuela. In 2014, I hosted Maria Corina Machado, Member of the National Assembly of Venezuela, when she came to Canada and spoke to the Venezuelan Community in Toronto. Last year, I traveled to Venezuela, as an Official Election Observer, authorized by the National Electoral Council of Venezuela, to witness the Presidential election.




Hon. Jim Karygiannis
Privy Councillor
G20HumanRights
info@g20humanrights.com
www.g20humanrights.com

      

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