Capitalism and Imperialism: 'A Lethal Formula Against Peace'

Venezuela's Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said capitalism is the main “producer of violence and unhappiness” in the world during a speech Friday at the 71st U.N. General Assembly in New York.

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The South American country supports the efforts of the BRICS to rebalance power relations in the world, she said.

“As Simon Bolivar used to say, social justice and political stability are the keys to any democracy," Rodriguez said. "Venezuela's democratic system is vigorous and is carrying out a deep process of social transformation... we provide the true peace of the people.”

Earlier in a communique, Venezuela's Foreign Ministry rejected the declarations of Washington criticizing the decision of Venezuela's electoral authorities to hold the recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro in the first half of 2017.

“The United States is the biggest exporter of violence in the world,” Rodriguez told world leaders. “The United States has about 800 military bases across the world. Capitalism is the biggest obstacle for peoples to develop. It's a lethal formula against peace.”

Rodriguez also denounced the parliamentary coup in Brazil, comparing it to “a new Operation Condor”—a reference to U.S.-backed plan in the 1970s to partner with right-wing forces to undermine democracy. “The imperialistic history, loaded with violence, tries to repeat itself,” she warned.

Rodriguez advocated for a major reform of the U.N. Security Council, demanding better representation for countries of the Global South. She also repeated Venezuela's support for Cuba, saying that “the Cuban people have resisted to the U.S. terrorist attacks with dignity,” and expressed solidarity with Palestine, demanding Israel lift the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.

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“There won't be peace in the Middle East if Israel insists on denying the Palestinian people their rights," Rodriguez said, adding: "We support a Palestinian state.”

Development Is a Right

Nicaraguan Vice President Moises Halleslevens, for his part, insisted on the need for the developed world to help those countries it has traditionally exploited develop themselves.

“The right to development belongs to everyone," Halleslevens said. "The international community still needs to be responsible for the millions of human beings on earth, where this right is still a dream. The developed countries have to fulfill once and for all their formal commitment to help development.”

According to Halleslevens, eradicating neo-colonialism and war is an urgent necessity so “our peoples can fully develop and embrace their right to self-determination.” He also condemned the U.S. blockade on Cuba while welcoming the normalization of diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana.

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Halleslevens also expressed support for the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which he said has been under “constant attacks and destabilization attempts by anti-democratic sectors coordinated with the international right.”

Ideas Are Power

In his address at the U.N., Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Guillaume Long argued that, “We must discuss the concept of development, because it's a political issue,” as power is not only “political and financial” but also manifests itself in “the appropriation of ideas.”

Ecuador, which is currently facing challenges related to the reconstruction of the coastal areas affected by April's major earthquake, reaffirmed that “the human being is superior to capital.”

“We believe that guaranteeing human rights goes hand in hand with reducing poverty and inequality," Long said. "We need an international instrument to control transnational firms," he said, saying Ecuador is proud to lead "the fight against tax havens."