London, February 20 (RHC-teleSUR) –- The British newspaper The Guardian published Thursday a statement by 70 British figures condemning the thwarted coup attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The letter was signed by prominent figures such as filmmaker John Pilger, writer Richard Gott, and journalist Victoria Brittain, as well as members of parliament, union leaders, and academics.

“We call on all governments internationally to respect Venezuela’s elected, constitutional Government and condemn this latest coup attempt,” stated the letter. It also drew attention to the similarities between what is happening in Venezuela today with what occurred in Chile shortly before the military coup against the democratically-elected government of Salvador Allende.

The government of President Nicolas Maduro exposed a coup conspiracy against his government and has denounced what he calls an “economic war” being waged against the country.

There has also been a concerted media campaign targeting the Venezuelan government that is attempting to portray the country as a violent dictatorship that is being mismanaged economically.

In response to these provocations against the democratically-elected government in Caracas, governments and social movements have expressed their solidarity with Venezuela and President Maduro.