To: US State Department
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry
From: Embassy Protection Collective
Re: Exiting the Venezuelan Embassy
Date: May 13, 2019
This is the 34th day of our living in the Venezuelan embassy in Washington,
DC. We are prepared to stay another 34 days, or however long is needed to
resolve the embassy dispute in a peaceful way consistent with international
law.
This memo is being sent to the US and Venezuela as well as
members of our Collective and allies. We are encouraging people to publish this
memo as a transparent process is needed to prevent the US from making a
unilateral decision that could impact the security of embassies around the
world and lead to military conflict.
There are two ways to resolve the issues around the Venezuelan
embassy in DC, which we will explain.
Before doing so, we reiterate that our collective is one of
independent people and organizations not affiliated with any government. While
we are all US citizens, we are not agents of the United States. While we are
here with permission of the Venezuelan government, we are not their agents or
representatives.
We are here in the embassy lawfully. We are breaking no laws. We
did not unlawfully enter and we are not trespassing.
1. Exiting with a Protecting Power Agreement
The exit from the embassy that best resolves issues to the
benefit of the United States and Venezuela is a mutual Protecting Power
Agreement. The United States wants a Protecting Power for its embassy in
Caracas. Venezuela wants a Protecting Power for its embassy in DC. Such
agreements are not uncommon when diplomatic relations are severed.
A Protecting Power Agreement would avoid a military conflict
that could lead to war. A war in Venezuela would be catastrophic for Venezuela,
the United States, and for the region. It would lead to lives lost and mass
migration from the chaos and conflict of war. It would cost the United States
trillions of dollars and become a quagmire involving allied countries around
the world.
We are serving as interim protectors in the hope that the two
nations can negotiate this resolution. If this occurs
we will take the banners off the building, pack our materials, and leave
voluntarily. The electricity could be turned on and we will drive out.
We suggest a video walk-through with embassy officials to show
that the Embassy Protection Collective did not damage the building. The only
damage to the building has been inflicted by coup supporters in the course of
their unprosecuted break-ins.
2. The United States violates the Vienna Convention, makes an
illegal eviction and unlawful arrests
This approach will violate international law and is fraught with
risks. The United States would have to cut the chains in the front door put up
by embassy staff and violate the embassy. We have put up barriers there and at
other entrances to protect us from constant break-ins and threats from the
trespassers whom the police are permitting outside the embassy. The police's
failure to protect the embassy and the US citizens inside has forced us to take
these actions.
The Embassy Protectors will not barricade ourselves,
or hide in the embassy in the event of an unlawful entry by police. We will
gather together and peacefully assert our rights to remain in the building and
uphold international law.
Any order to vacate based on a request by coup conspirators that
lack governing authority will not be a lawful order. The coup has failed
multiple times in Venezuela. The elected government is recognized by the
Venezuelan courts under Venezuelan law and by the United Nations under
international law. An order by the US-appointed coup plotters would not be
legal.
Such an entry would put embassies around the world and in the
United States at risk. We are concerned about US embassies and personnel around
the world if the Vienna Convention is violated at this embassy. It would set a
dangerous precedent that would likely be used against US embassies.
If an illegal eviction and unlawful arrests are made, we will
hold all decision-makers in the chain of command and all officers who enforce
unlawful orders accountable.
If there is a notice that we are trespassing and need to vacate
the premises, please provide it to our attorney Mara Verhayden-Hilliard,
copied on this memo.
We have taken care of this embassy and request a video tour of
the building before any arrests.
We hope a wise and calm solution to this issue can be achieved
so escalation of this conflict can avoided.
There is no need for the United States and Venezuela to be
enemies. Resolving this embassy dispute diplomatically should lead to
negotiations over other issues between the nations.
The Embassy Protection Collective
May 13, 2019