Lavrov Blasts US Attempts to Create Pretext for Military Intervention in Venezuela

YUEQING/China/- Russia keeps a close eye on brazen US attempts to create an artificial pretext for a military intervention in Venezuela, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with his Indian and Chinese counterparts, Sushma Swaraj and Wang Yi.

“We are watching closely the reports about what is really happening there. We see how absolutely brazen attempts have been taken to artificially create a pretext for military intervention,” Lavrov said. “We hear direct threats from Washington that all options remain on the table. The actual implementation of these threats is pulling in military equipment and training [US] special forces,” he said, according to Itar Tass.

The attempts to break through the Venezuelan border under the pretext of delivering humanitarian aid have been made “in hopes that there will be casualties,” Lavrov noted. “Then hysterical screaming will follow under the well-known scenario and an attempt of military intervention will be carried out.”

Moscow has been actively cooperating with all countries that are also concerned over the looming prospect of a military action, the foreign minister said. “It’s no coincidence that Brazil’s leadership has already stated that it won’t participate in this and provide its territory for the US for aggression against Venezuela,” he noted.

“I believe that no Latin American country, including members of the so-called Lima Group, actively calling for an early presidential election and supporting [self-proclaimed president] Juan Guaido, has voiced support for military intervention,” he noted.

Russia’s top diplomat called on the United States to listen to the opinion of regional states. “First of all, we advise to focus on the ideas of the Montevideo Mechanism envisaging a nationwide dialogue with participation of all political forces,” Lavrov explained. “Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly stated his readiness for such a dialogue. Unfortunately, Mr. Guaido and his allies reject these proposals and only demand meeting their ultimatum on an early presidential election.”

Who is next?

Lavrov also drew attention to another alarming US statement. “Washington, which says in public that President Maduro’s days are numbered, directly states that Cuba and Nicaragua are next in line.” “The US is usurping the right to use force wherever it wants in order to topple unwanted regimes,” he noted.

The foreign minister expressed hope that all countries committed to the UN Charter will state that such approaches are unacceptable and will insist on holding a nationwide inclusive dialogue. “Venezuela’s problems should be solved only based on the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, namely sovereign equality of states, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and unacceptability of meddling in domestic affairs,” he underlined.

In their joint communique after talks on Wednesday, the Russian, Chinese and Indian foreign ministers stressed the demand to solve the Venezuelan crisis based on the UN Charter’s principles. “Everyone without exception should respect this, including the United States,” he said.

Thousands in Caracas rally in support of Maduro

Thousands of supporters of the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro took part in a rally in Caracas on Wednesday, denouncing international threats of military intervention in the troubled nation, according to Press TV.

They gathered in the Venezuelan capital, waving Venezuelan and socialist flags, and signs that read, “hands off Venezuela.”

The ralliers also commemorated the 30th anniversary of “El Caracazo,” a wave of protests that began in Caracas on February 27th of 1989, during which hundreds of demonstrators were killed by security forces.

“No to military intervention, of course not. We do not want our country to be attacked,” Zulaica Campos, a Maduro supporter said.

“We will not allow foreign boots to set foot on our soil,” Campos said.

Over the weekend, the country’s opposition, led by Juan Guaido, who declared himself the rightful president of Venezuelan in January, failed to bring in what was described as foreign “humanitarian aid”, including those from the US through the Colombian border, due to the government’s opposition.

H.M