By the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign

Leading British trade unionists have backed the campaign for the UK to give back over 30 tonnes of Venezuelan gold to Venezuela, which is currently being held in the Bank of England, despite the Latin American nation requesting its return, following the horrific earthquakes that have devastated the country. The gold currently has a value of £3.5bn (or US $4.74 bn.)

The support from trade unionists comes as over 14,000 people have now signed a petition urging for the gold to be returned, and numerous MPs have also backed the campaign.

Supporting the campaign, the General Secretary of UNISON, Britain’s largest trade union, Andrea Egan said: “The UK government must work to ensure that Venezuela’s gold deposits in the UK can be used to urgently rebuild homes and public services in Venezuela, for the benefit of all its people.”

University and College Union (UCU) General Secretary Dr. Jo Grady added: ”Our solidarity goes out to the people of Venezuela and all those who have lost friends and family in the devastating earthquake that has hit the country. Given the urgent need to support Venezuela’s recovery, and in light of how expensive reconstruction will be, it is more urgent than ever that the British Government stands up to Trump and releases the billions of pounds of Venezuelan gold it is holding.”

Paul Fleming, Equity General Secretary said: “The natural disaster which has hit Venezuela should not be compounded by the profound injustice of holding their money hostage in the vaults of the Bank of England. The UK government’s longstanding approach to Venezuela has been irrational and cruel.  Unless this gold is released, our policy will keep compounding the crisis the Venezuelan people now face.”

Fire Brigades Union General Secretary Steve Wright explained why they were backing the call, saying: “As firefighters, our instinct is to help those in need. That’s why we’re calling on the British government to urgently return the Venezuelan gold held in the Bank of England. This money should be used for humanitarian relief, reconstruction and to aid the heroic efforts of emergency workers in Venezuela.”

Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association) General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust commented:  “Venezuela’s gold should be returned to Venezuela. Assets held in the UK should not become political leverage while people are suffering. If those reserves are needed to finance earthquake relief and recovery, they should be released so Venezuela can meet the enormous human and economic cost of the disaster.”

The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union General Secretary Sarah Woolley added: “Venezuela’s gold should be returned because it is the sovereign property of the Venezuelan people. No country should use another nation’s reserves as a political bargaining chip. Justice means giving Venezuela back what is rightfully theirs.”

General Federation of Trade Unions General Secretary – and Venezuela Solidarity Campaign Vice-Chair – Gawain Little noted: “Britain’s complicity in illegal economic warfare against Venezuela must come to an end. It is time for Britain to hand back illegally seized Venezuelan gold.”

Welcoming the support shown by trade unions for the campaign, VSC chair Tony Burke said, “Venezuela needs countries internationally to assist its relief, recovery and reconstruction after the devastating earthquakes. Britain needs to do its bit – and that means giving the gold back now.“

SIGN NOW: Give Venezuela Back Its Gold!

ONLINE EVENT: Emergency in Venezuela – End all sanctions, give back the gold!

Register here  Tuesday July 28 • 6:30 PM • Online 
Spread the word – share on Insta here, X here & FB here
 
With Venezuelan speakers:

• Fravia Marquez, advisor to Venezuela’s National Assembly & spokesperson for the Cumbé Afro-Descendant Movement
• Gerdul Gutierrez, Secretary of International Relations of the CSBT (Venezuela’s TUC)
• María Páez Victor, Venezuelan Sociologist

Plus: Jeremy Corbyn MP, Francisco Dominguez (VSC) & Kate Hudson (CND). Chair: Jayne Fisher (VSC EC)

Hosted by the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign. Free event but solidarity donations here essential to covering room hire costs.