The Group of 77 and China expresses its rejection to the latest decision of the Government of the United States of America to expand its unilateral sanctions against the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, on March 9th 2015, under the Executive Order signed by President Barack Obama, which declares "a national emergency with respects to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by the situation in Venezuela"

We reaffirm, at the same time, the Declaration adopted at the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of 77 held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra that firmly rejects the imposition of laws and regulations with extraterritorial impact and all other forms of coercive economic measures, including unilateral sanctions, against developing countries.

The Group of 77 and China deplores these measures and reiterates its firm support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. In this regard, the Group of 77 and China emphasizes the need to respect international law, including the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and the Declaration of Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

The G-77 and China underlines the positive contribution of Venezuela to the strengthening of South-South Cooperation, solidarity and friendship among all peoples and nations, with a view to promoting peace and development.

The Group of 77 and China conveys its solidarity and support to the Venezuelan Government affected by these measures which do not contribute, in any way, to the spirit of political and economic dialogue and understanding among countries. To the same extent, we urge the international community to adopt urgent and effective measures to eliminate the use of unilateral coercive economic measures against any State, in particular, developing countries.

The G-77 and China calls upon the Government of the United States to evaluate and implement alternatives for a dialogue with the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, under the principle of respect to sovereignty and self determination of the peoples. Therefore, it urges to repeal the aforementioned Executive Order.

New York, 25 March 2015.