Russia’s
president pledged his support for the elected government of Venezuela
during a phone call with President Nicolas Maduro. He also criticized
the “destructive external meddling” to which the country
has been exposed.
The
Russian president has expressed his support to the legitimate
authorities of Venezuela in this time of political crisis which he
said was caused by a “destructive external interference that
grossly violates the most basic norms of the international law.”
Putin
and Maduro also agreed to continue cooperation between the countries
“in various fields.”
While
Venezuela's political crisis has been ongoing for months, it has
deepened this year following the US’ decision not to recognize the
results of the last elections which led to Maduro entering his second
six-year term.
On
Wednesday US-backed, Juan Guaido, the opposition leader who is
currently the President of the National Assembly, swore an oath and
declared himself interim president as thousands took to the streets
calling for Maduro to leave office.
US
President Donald Trump announced his decision to recognize Guaido as
the “interim president,” minutes after the latter swore
himself in. While US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Maduro to
step down and called on the country’s military to support efforts
to restore “democracy”.
Elsewhere
in the Americas, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala,
Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru all followed suit within two
hours of the US move. They were backed by the Organization of
American States (OAS), as well as Canada.
France
and Britain joined the chorus on Thursday. London claimed that Maduro
is “not a legitimate leader” of Venezuela while Paris said
that Maduro’s election was “illegal” and “Europe
supports the restoration of democracy.”
Venezuela
has endured a prolonged period of economic instability and
hyperinflation, worsened by the gradually mounting external pressure.
Maduro’s opponents blame the crisis on the socialist government,
which, for its part, claims that the dissent is deliberately stirred
up by the US and other foreign powers.
The US
has greatly expanded its economic sanctions against the oil-rich
country, proclaiming “support” towards Venezuelan people
at the same time. Said sanctions, however, have mainly hit the
country’s citizens, many analysts argue.
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