Understanding Venezuela's Anti-Sanctions Law

Episode Title: Understanding Venezuela's Anti-Blockade Law


Guests:


Margaret Flowers of Popular Resistance, SanctionsKill and the
Embassy Protection Collective


William Castillo, Venezuela Vice-Minister for implementation of
the Anti-Blockade Law


Background:


To combat the U.S. economic war on Venezuela, a new strategy
was unveiled on Sept. 29. 2020 by President Nicolás Maduro,
called the “Anti-Blockade Constitutional Law for National
Development and Guarantee of Human Rights,” or anti-blockade law
for short. 


It was approved in a session of the National Constituent Assembly
(ANC by its Spanish initials) on Oct. 8, 2020. The ANC has
served as an interim legislative body after the right-wing-led
National Assembly was declared in contempt for illegal election
practices and other violations. May of 2021 Venezuela's
National Assembly ratified the law. The current assembly was
elected in December 2020.


The siege by the U.S., Canada and its European allies against
Venezuela includes the U.S. seizure of CITGO and other Venezuelan
properties, the withholding of the country’s gold and money
reserves by Britain and Portugal, and a severe sanctions
regime.  


Sanctions (or more correctly known as Unilateral Coercive
Measures) have cut off Venezuela’s ability to import spare
parts and critical chemicals for the oil and mining industries,
particularly imports from the U.S., with its dominance in oil
technology.  


Part of the anti-blockade law is a legal framework to guarantee
foreign investments and shield economic agreements from U.S.
sanctions and sabotage with countries that are defying the
sanctions to trade with Venezuela. Investments by domestic
entities will be allowed as well.  


With expected economic improvements, the government will be able
to raise the real wages of the workers, pensions for seniors, and
benefits for the population.. 


The government can also strengthen vital social programs such as
the CLAP food boxes, health care, education and more. The
country’s infrastructure — water, electricity and gas, transport,
and telecommunications — also needs rehabilitation. 


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