Venezuela vowed to uphold its sovereignty on the 214th anniversary of its declaration of independence, with a top diplomat in Cairo reaffirming the country's commitment to peace and resistance against what he called "imperialist attacks." Speaking at an embassy celebration on Saturday, Chargé d'Affaires Angel Herrera delivered the message on behalf of the Venezuelan Ambassador to Cairo, Wilmer Omar Barrientos. In the statement from President Nicolás Maduro's government, Venezuela said it continues on the path set by its founders as a free and sovereign nation, maintaining international relations based on equality and respect while defending its people's right to peace and prosperity. President Nicolás Maduro said in the message that the declaration of independence "declared us irrevocably free and sovereign from any colonial empire." Speaking on the core values of the Bolivarian Revolution, he stated: "We have done our duty! We have preserved the most precious thing that the Liberators and Commander Hugo Chávez left us: we are a free, sovereign, independent homeland, and we are at peace." True to the doctrine of Simón Bolívar, who led the liberation army to free other Latin American peoples, President Maduro called on world leaders to hold an urgent summit for peace and against war, in light of what he described as military escalation by Israel and the United States in West Asia. Maduro affirmed that Venezuela's positions stem from its "unwavering commitment to peace, disarmament, and respect for international law as fundamental pillars for coexistence among nations." This commitment is based on principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence issued on July 5, 1811. The statement said that for Venezuela, the choice of independence means confronting imperial ambitions, drawing a parallel between past colonial rule and the more than 1,000 unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States and its European allies. It said these attacks, based on the same ambitions as in 1811, aimed to seize Venezuela's resources and undermine its internal peace. The government said that, as was the case two centuries ago, the Venezuelan people's decision to be free has prevailed against blockades and other forms of aggression. It stated that Venezuela is resisting this new form of colonialism and is growing through its own efforts despite economic pressure. "Venezuela is living in peace, stability, and unity, dreaming of a promising and great future of independence, prosperity, and happiness," President Maduro said in the statement. The message added that the Bolivarian Revolution had made it possible to achieve social justice and equality, highlighting an increase in social investment, a strengthened public health system, and educational missions that allowed Venezuela to achieve 100% literacy. Despite what it termed illegal sanctions, the government said Venezuela is moving forward as a sovereign state and is undergoing a sustainable economic transformation, having experienced 16 consecutive months of sustainable growth as a result of national efforts. The statement outlined a government plan to expand social protection, where positive economic indicators are meant to translate into social well-being and equality. Venezuela also affirmed its strong participatory democracy, noting that 32 electoral processes have been organised in 26 years under the 1999 constitution. The government highlighted its "successful Bolivarian diplomacy for peace," stating that the late President Hugo Chávez revived the vision of Venezuela's liberators, placing the country at the forefront of efforts to build a multipolar world.
