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The only situation that I can't be in favour of is the lack of respect to human rights in Venezuela.

Venezuela's government must work toward achieving a true culture of democracy for our region. There's no room for persecution based on ideological reasons or for thinking differently.

Our arguments - and those of hundreds more Venezuelans suffering the same injustice - are clear and forceful: political disqualification violates laws in Venezuela and throughout the continent.

The Venezuelan people will never abandon the ideals President Chavez gave us. Modestly, we contribute to ensure the stability of the region.

Repressive regimes do not endure change willingly - and Venezuela is no exception.

Venezuelans have a deep democratic conviction. If the government hotheads ventured out to stir violence they would encounter the armed forces. I don't believe the armed forces respond to a political party.

Venezuela is a free country, and we will not be blackmailed by anyone. We will not accept being told what to do over Iran; we will not accept being anyone's colony.

There's been an open attack by the U.S. government, an immoral attack, to try and prevent Venezuela from being freely elected to a post in the Security Council. The imperium is afraid of truth, is afraid of independent voices. It calls us extremists, but they are the extremists.

But the Republic has its rules and it must not tolerate any abuse of them.