Advocacy Group Urges Lifting of U.S. Sanctions on Venezuela Following Deadly Earthquakes

The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria (VSCN) has formally called for the immediate and permanent removal of United States sanctions against Venezuela, citing the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis caused by the recent twin earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the group expressed condolences for the victims of the disaster, which has claimed nearly 3,000 lives and left tens of thousands of people displaced and missing. The organization argued that the existing economic sanctions have crippled Venezuela’s ability to import essential medical supplies, technology, and reconstruction materials, effectively hindering vital recovery efforts.

The VSCN characterized the continued enforcement of these sanctions during the ongoing national emergency as a form of “collective punishment.” The statement emphasized that there is no moral or legal justification for maintaining an economic blockade while the nation is actively working to save lives and rebuild damaged infrastructure.

Beyond its demand to the United States, the group has called on the Nigerian government to formally support the lifting of the sanctions, strengthen diplomatic ties with the South American nation, and contribute to international humanitarian relief initiatives. Furthermore, the organization urged the African Union to reject unilateral sanctions, which it views as violations of international law, and to mobilize continental support for Venezuela’s recovery.

The campaign has also reached out to the United Nations, requesting that humanitarian assistance be prioritized over geopolitical interests and that sanctions be adjusted to ensure they do not obstruct relief operations. The VSCN concluded its appeal by calling on civil society groups, labor unions, and social movements globally to stand in solidarity with the Venezuelan people as they navigate the aftermath of the disaster.