VENEZUELANS in Britain have condemned the “grotesque irony” of celebrating an independence day just months since the United States kidnapped their president Nicolas Maduro.

Today marks 215 years since Venezuela secured freedom from Spanish colonial rule, and it followed US President Donald Trump’s claim that he had “wiped out” its military in Saturday’s US Independence Day speech.

Venezuelan Solidarity Campaign national secretary Francisco Dominguez told the Morning Star: “One day after the US’s 250th independence anniversary, Venezuela celebrates 215 years as an independent nation. 

“Both commemorations are tainted by grotesque irony: in the former, the ruling oligarchy is destroying American democracy and human rights, principles that so falsely epitomise its raison d’etre and, simultaneously, trampling upon the latter’s sovereignty by a farcical show trial against President Nicolas Maduro following his kidnapping by the US military.”

Demonstrations calling for the return of Mr Maduro continue five months after US special forces abducted him and his wife Cilia Flores from their presidential home.

The death toll from twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last month has meanwhile passed 2,600, with many more lives thought to be lost and yet to be registered.

Richard Burgon, secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs, said: “Years of US-led sanctions have already caused immense suffering for the Venezuelan people and are now undermining the country’s ability to respond to this devastating earthquake.

“That impact is made even worse by the Bank of England’s continued withholding of Venezuela’s gold reserves, resources that should now be available for humanitarian relief and reconstruction from this disaster.

“At a time of such profound human catastrophe, every available resource should be directed towards saving lives, rebuilding communities and supporting recovery.”

He urged ministers to take “immediate steps to facilitate the release of Venezuela’s gold” to support earthquake victims.