On September 17, 2011, the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, sent a letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon recognizing the sovereignty of the Palestinian state.

In the letter, delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan leader wrote: “This represents an act of historic justice toward a people who carry with them, from time immemorial, all the pain and suffering of the world.”

Additionally, on September 27, 2011, Maduro read another letter sent by President Chávez on behalf of Venezuela before the 66th General Assembly  ratifying Venezuela’s commitment to peace, justice, and equality.

Read here both letters.