US to support the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan, Pompeo says UN

Addressing the UN Security Council, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged all nations to “support the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people as they try to free themselves from former President Maduro’s illegitimate mafia state” adding that the humanitarian situation in the country “demands action today.” Pompeo told the Council today (26 Jan) that scenes of misery in Venezuela have become the norm under President Maduro with millions of children suffering from malnutrition thanks to what he called a socialist experiment that caused the economy to collapse. Pompeo said the US stood with the Venezuelan people and recognized the government of “interim President” Juan Guaidó as legitimate. He said, “And now it’s time for every other nation to pick a side. No more delays, no more games. Either you stand with the forces of freedom or you’re in league with Maduro and his mayhem.” The Secretary of State said some countries, including Cuba, Iran, Russia, China, and Syria have publicly supported President Maduro, adding that Russia and China blocked the adoption of a Presidential Statement by the Council this morning. He said, “It’s not a surprise that those who rule without democracy in their own countries are trying to prop up Maduro while he is in dire straits. Nor are these countries supporting international norms as they cynically claim. China and Russia are propping up a failed regime in hopes of recovering billions of dollars in ill-considered investments and assistance made over the years.” The United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Europe and the Americas Sir Alan Duncan said the rule of law in Venezuela has collapsed after being continuously eroded and undermined by President Maduro. He said the UK believed that “Juan Guaidó is the right man to take Venezuela forward.” Duncan said his Government, along with other European nations would “recognise him as constitutional interim President if new elections are not announced within eight days.” He called on the international community to “stand together against the tyranny of Nicolas Maduro and in support of legitimate democratic forces in Venezuela.” Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said the US was looking to destabilize Venezuela and was using the Security Council to create regime change in the country. He said US interference in the internal affairs of other nations was nothing new adding that the US considered Latin America as its backyard and did not take into account the interests of the people living there. Nebenzya sighted US officials in saying that all options remained on the table in Venezuela and asked Pompeo, “does that mean that the United States is ready to use military force against a sovereign state under a bogus pretext?” The Russian ambassador said the opposition was pressured into withdrawing its candidates from the presidential elections in May of last year to be used as a pretext by the US and its allies to overthrow the legitimate authorities in Venezuela. Addressing those Latin American countries which supported the US stance, Nebenzya asked, “Do you understand that if you continue with your actions, tomorrow instead of Venezuela, any other Latin American country can find itself in its place? The illegality of what is taking place is flagrant and the leadership of the Organization of American States salutes this and, following Washington, rubber stamps threats against an independent state.” The Russian ambassador said the only way to resolve the Venezuelan crisis was for all external interference to end while efforts were being made to launch an inter-Venezuelan dialogue. He added that countries should also refrain from taking economic measures against Venezuela which would exacerbate the deteriorating economic situation in the country. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said the US was “not behind the coup” in his country rather it was “ahead” of it. He said it was “dictating the orders, not only to the Venezuelan opposition, but also to the satellite governments of the United States in the region, and it seems in Europe and around the world.” Arreaza said Pompeo and US Vice President Mike Pence openly gave the green light to the coup d’etat and President Donald Trump threatened to use force against a sovereign nation, but the international community took no steps in this regard. He said it was “understandable that the satellite governments in Latin America” could give in to the US stance but asked European powers how they could “simply become lackies; to follow the United States, but not just the United States, the government of Donald Trump.” He asked the European nations where they got the “power to establish a deadline or an ultimatum to a sovereign people” describing the move as “childish.”