Russia's Lavrov warns Pompeo against U.S. using force in Venezuela

World
Europe

00:27

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned his U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo on Tuesday against any American interference, including using force, in Venezuela which is facing a major leadership crisis.

"Lavrov has warned against all interference in Venezuela's domestic affairs including the use of force threatened by Washington and which is in violation of international law," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

"He is ready for talks regarding the Venezuelan issue in line with UN principles," it added.

The remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed earlier this month that military intervention in Venezuela was "an option," as the U.S. and its allies ramped up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro, urging him to step down.

Maduro is facing a challenge from opposition leader Juan Guaido who declared himself acting president in January.

The Venezuelan president called Guaido's move "unconstitutional."

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks to businessmen in Caracas, Venezuela, February 11, 2019. /VCG Photo

Guaido is trying to force Maduro from power so he can set up a transitional government and hold new presidential elections.

The opposition has got the backing of the European Union and a group of European and Latin American countries.

Maduro said he would welcome an early parliamentary election as a "very good form of political discussion," but he opposes a snap presidential election as suggested by countries like Germany, France, Britain and Spain.

Maduro has also expressed willingness to hold talks with the opposition with the help of international mediators.

Argument on humanitarian aid

The U.S. has recently presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council (UNSC). Apart from calling for new presidential elections, it also asked for international aid deliveries into Venezuela.

Meanwhile, Guaido told supporters on Tuesday in eastern Caracas during a rally that humanitarian aid would be brought into the country on February 23.

He insisted that will happen despite opposition from President Maduro.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido (C) speaks to supporters during a rally to press the military to let in U.S. humanitarian aid, in eastern Caracas, Venezuela, February 12, 2019. /VCG Photo

Maduro denies there is a humanitarian crisis and has branded the whole affair a "political show" and a pretext for a U.S.-led invasion.

Before speaking on the phone with Pompeo on Tuesday, Lavrov said Russia has also prepared a UNSC draft resolution, supporting dialogue in Venezuela.

According to Lavrov, it is contrary to the proposal that paves the way for an invasion.

"Some U.S. officials and Venezuelan opposition leaders claim that our resolution is aimed at disrupting so-called humanitarian actions planned by the United States and its allies," Lavrov said at a press conference.

The Russian senior diplomat said mischaracterizing Russia's draft resolution is an attempt to divert attention from the U.S. version "which in essence aims to use the delivery of humanitarian aid as a means of destabilizing the situation in Venezuela and creating a pretext for direct military intervention."

The UNSC will never accept such a resolution, Lavrov said.

Last week, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters in a regular briefing that "humanitarian action needs to be independent of political, military or any other objectives."

Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency