Venezuela and Cuba, the supporters of the Beijing Games that portray China in the accusations of violating human rights

The Government of Venezuela has branded the diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, initiated by the United States, a "desperate but alarming act", while expressing its "profound rejection" of the position adopted by the House White. A support that is not without controversy, since, precisely, Venezuela has recently been accused of having 261 political prisoners according to the NGO Foro Penal.

"This desperate but alarming act, which is part of the smear and manipulation campaign undertaken by a small group of countries against the indefensible development of the sister Chinese nation, demonstrates the anachronistic vision of these governments that still maintain their vision of the War Cold," the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry has specified that the Government of the Caribbean country has followed "with enthusiasm" the process of preparation and preparation carried out by the Chinese authorities and people "to host the world's greatest winter sports event" and " achieve the milestone of seeing Beijing become the first city in history to host both the summer and winter editions.

In this sense, and emphasizing that it is an Olympic Games that call for "peace, encounter and brotherhood, within the framework of tolerance and respect for all", the Government of Venezuela has demanded "that the politicization of sport" and has asked all countries "to defend the sporting spirit that must prevail during the competition, according to the principles and values ​​expressed in the Olympic Charter".

Finally, he reaffirmed his support for the "effort and work" of the Chinese Government and expressed his willingness to "undertake all efforts" within his reach "to contribute to the success of the greatest winter sports event that belongs to all of Humanity".

Cuba joins the criticism

The Cuban Olympic Committee, despite not competing in the event, has issued a statement lamenting the boycott, which it claims is for "strictly political reasons." "The COC regrets the decision of several Western countries not to send diplomatic personnel to the event, which does nothing more than affect their own delegations and the spirit of brotherhood and fraternity of the event," they claim.

The United States has promoted a boycott to which countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom or Canada have already joined and which implies not sending political representation to the Olympic Games that China will host in February, without in principle affecting the athletes of each of these countries.