It is the United States, not Venezuela, that is being discredited and isolated by the Trump administration’s ugly drive “to impose a puppet government” in Venezuela “that will turn the country with its natural resources into a colony,” as Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro put it today.
China supports Venezuela’s request for an emergency session of the UN Security Council to address the United States’ illegal measures against it, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun announced at today’s Foreign Ministry press briefing.
The day before, Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed China’s support for Venezuela’s sovereignty when he spoke with Venezuela’s Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil, at the latter’s request. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry readout, Gil briefed Wang on Venezuela’s current situation. Wang assured Gil that not only are China and Venezuela strategic partners, but “China opposes all unilateral bullying and supports all countries in defending their sovereignty and national dignity. Venezuela has the right to independently develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries.” Wang added that he believes that the international community recognizes that Venezuela is “safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov likewise pointed out in a [Wednesday press conference](), that “just about every country has expressed disapproval at the measures” taken by the United States in the Caribbean. Everyone, that is, but “the Europeans who have chosen silence and discretion,” who are concentrated on trying to hinder the White House efforts to end the Ukraine crisis, he added.
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement today urging the Trump administration to adopt a “rational and programmatic approach,” in order to avoid the “unpredictable consequences” that will result from its current ideologically-driven policy.
“We note the continued and deliberate escalation of tensions surrounding Venezuela, a nation that is our friend. The unilateral nature of these actions, which pose a threat to international shipping, is of particular concern,” it warns. “We hope that the Trump administration, known for its rational and pragmatic approach, will avoid this grave error and refrain from further steps that could lead to unpredictable consequences for the entire Western Hemisphere.
“We call on all parties to avoid ideological blinders that distort an objective understanding of events. The words of Simón Bolívar, an eminent son of Latin America, remain relevant today:
`Every nation has the right to choose its own leaders, and this choice must be respected by other countries.’”
Dialogue between Washington and Caracas must be normalized, it urged; “meaningful steps are needed to de-escalate tensions and to seek constructive solutions to existing problems and disagreements, in full respect of international law. Latin America and the Caribbean must remain a zone of peace, ensuring the stable and independent development of the countries in the region.”
Russia is in solidarity with the people of Venezuela and supports “the course pursued by the Nicolás Maduro government to safeguard national interests and the sovereignty of their homeland,” it concludes.
