Statement in solidarity with Edgardo Lander, Francisco Javier Velasco, Santiago Arconada, Emiliano Terán Mantovani and Alexandra Martinez

Solidarity campaign

Photo: Adam McCauley, art by Icy and Soto

We view with deep concern the serious accusations against university community members by official media sources that attempt to criminalize academic activity in our country. Teachers with a vast national and international recognition, committed to reasearch and critical reflection on the reality of the Venezuelan population and territory, such as Edgardo Lander, Franscisco Javier Velasco, Santiago Arconada, Emiliano Terán Mantovani and Alexandra Martínez, have publicly advocated with honesty in the process of recovery of Venezuelan universities.

Their work on the Orinoco Mining Arc, the environmental crisis and the loss of constitutional rights is a reference for all of us and reflects worries that we share in the context of the global ecosocial crisis.

We reject any attempt to enforce a climate of fear, censorship and self-censorship in the university community and hope that free and committed expression, essential for the functioning of academic life, will be maintained.

We call on national, Latin American, and worldwide universities and research centers to show solidarity in the face of the critical situation in Venezuela and reject the official media’s criminalization.

We say no to the criminalization of academic and research activity in Venezuela.

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