Moscow (TDI): In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Moscow has termed the United States actions in Venezuela as “armed aggression,” and raised “deep concern.”
Condemning the US attack on Venezuela and subsequent capture of President Maduro and his wife, the statement condemned these actions and noted that there is no sufficient ground to “justify” these unilateral moves.
“The pretexts used to justify these actions are untenable. Ideologized animosity has prevailed over pragmatic engagement, as well as over any readiness to build relations based on trust and predictability,” it read.
The Ministry further said that Russia is ready to support dialogue and that all parties must communicate grievances via dialogue; preventing further escalation by all means.
The captured Venezuelan President is in a detention center in New York as the US seeks his trial on drug related charges. Meanwhile Trump has said that the US will run Venezuela; an assertion denied by the Vice President of Venezuela, who is now the interim leader in Maduro’s absence.
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The United Nations Security Council is also meeting today, on Monday, to discuss this situation. Secretary General Guterres has termed US actions as equivalent to setting a “dangerous precedent.”
Reactions have been pouring in from leaders around the world, alongside official statements from foreign offices. Russian MFA also asserted that Latin America must be free from any external influence and interference.
“Latin America must remain a zone of peace, as it proclaimed itself in 2014. Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny, free from any destructive – let alone military – external interference.”
The Ministry confirmed that Russian citizens in Venezuela are safe and the embassy in Caracas is ensuring the safety of the citizens by maintaining contact with locals authorities as well as the Russian citizens. It also voiced support for a UNSC urgent session, as requested by the Latin American countries.
“We reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan people and our support for the course pursued by its Bolivarian leadership, aimed at safeguarding the country’s national interests and sovereignty,” the statement concluded.
