International Tensions in South Eretz Following Cundinamarcan Declaration of Independence

Monday, July 18th, 2016

CIUDAD CHÁVEZ, 09:30 AST. International tensions have reached an all-time high on the Southern half of the Eretzi continent, after the Cundinamarcan Regional Assembly unanimously declared the Region independent from the rest of the Amazonian Federation. The declaration was read live on national television at 09:15 AST, by Jamal Saavedra, acting as spokesperson for the Assembly.

A portion of the Declaration follows:

We, the democratically-elected representatives of the Cundinamarcan people, hereby declare Cundinamarca to be an independent and sovereign State. This declaration reflects the will of our people and it is in full accordance with international recommendations. We declare Cundinamarca to be a democratic, secular and multiëthnic republic, guided by the principles of socialism and equal protection under the law.

We claim for our national independence the recognition and support of every free nation in the world, and we ask that independence be a condition precedent to international peace hereafter.

Mr. Saavedra was also quoted as saying, outside of the declaration, “The Cundinamarcan people also reserve the right to pursue membership elsewhere if they see fit, in accordance with the Codeco principles of liberty and self-determination.” It is unknown if this is a reference to the growing movement that seeks to unite Cundinamarca with Nuevo Meshiko, or simply an allusion to the Cundinamarcan leaders’ intentions to seek (or retain) Codeco membership.

It is noteworthy that several Neo-Meshikan flags were visible among the sea of yellow Cundinamarcan banners, as well as several scarlet hammer-and-sickles on a bright yellow background. Placards with the words Make Cundinamarca Darussalam Again were also reported.

[UPDATE 11:55 AST] The Andeaincan government has just voiced their support of Cundinamarcan independence.

“We stand with our Cundinamarcan comrades and brothers, and uphold their right to self-determination and the pursuit of freedom from capitalist exploitation. We urge other Codeco nations to do the same,” said a Foreign Relations spokesperson.

[UPDATE 12:07 AST] The Halloranian General-Admiral’s spokesperson, Ahmed Rothstein, has delivered a short statement to the public.

“We absolutely support all people’s right to independence. Especially when they start referenda about joining Hallorania right after these declara—what? This wasn’t in the draft!”

[UPDATE 12:38 AST] As of a three minutes ago, there have been reports of federal military presence, including tanks and armored vehicles, in the areas around Ciudad Chávez, the Cundinamarcan Region’s capital. People have taken to the streets en masse to protest what they deem an “obvious threat to our right of secession.”

The Amazonian Federal Constitution does not provide for the secession of one or more Regions, which has caused controversy in the upper echelons of the Coralto government.

[UPDATE 13:05 AST] Unrest and rioting has been reported in some rural areas. It is unknown if this is the result of rival rebel factions vying for control over the territory, or a struggle between federal government and rebel forces.

[UPDATE 14:00 AST] President Luís Bernardo Silva has released a statement live from Coralto Palace condemning the “illegality” of the Cundinamarcan Assembly’s actions. He deemed the acts “unconstitutional”, “treasonous”, and the result of “several foreign powers’ rampant imperialism and simultaneous inability to maintain political stability.”

It is unknown whether this last statement is a reference to New Nubia’s recent decision to join the Neo-Meshikan Federation, Euraziya’s loss of a good portion of its territory not too long ago, Euraziya’s recent forced military takeover of Anatolia, or all of the above. You can watch the video of President Silva’s speech below:

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[UPDATE 14:12 AST] Low-flying military aircraft have been sighted over Ciudad Chávez and other major urban centers in Cundinamarca, sparking fears that a civil war could soon ensue. The Council for Developmental Coöperation in Meshik has called for “calm” and “civil dialogue” that can “lead to a better mutual understanding and above all, a peaceful resolution of this issue.”

The Neo-Meshikan government has not released an official statement as of this update, despite repeated requests for comment.

[UPDATE 15:01 AST] Euraziyan President Iosif Krasnov has voiced his support for the Cundinamarcan call for independence.

“The Central Committee and I give our full support for our Cundinamarcan comrades,” he declared in a public statement. Ironically, and despite the recent developments in Anatolia, he went on to say, “We pledge our full solidarity to the independent nation, and wish them the best of luck in resisting both Amazonian capitalist influence and the expansionist tendencies of their northern neighbour. We invite the administration to form an active and friendly relationship with the United States of Euraziya to establish a healthy socialist framework within the nation.”

[UPDATE 15:30 AST] Meshik has finally issued a statement regarding the day’s events.

The Neo-Meshikan President himself has expressed solidarity with the people of Cundinamarca, and reiterated that “Nuevo Meshiko has always stood and continues to stand for the right of self-determination, progress, and social equality.” He went on to say that the matter should be resolved peacefully, “without force of arms”, and warned that “military action against the people of Cundinamarca by the federal government” could bring “consequences for the Amazonian government.” The nature of these “consequences” was not specified.