United Nations holds emergency meeting on Venezuela situation
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on January 26 about the tense situation in Venezuela.
As experts predicted, the crisis has once again divided the international community. While countries led by the US have affirmed their support for self-proclaimed President Juan Guaido, Russia continues to defend President Nicolas Maduro, criticizing any attempt to pressure or issue ultimatums to force Venezuela to hold early elections.
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| Opposition figure Juan Guaido. Photo: Q Costa Rica. |
In parallel with this UN session, Spain, France, Germany, the UK, Belgium and Portugal also sent an ultimatum to President Nicolas Maduro, demanding that this leader must organize early elections within 8 days, otherwise they will recognize opposition figure Juan Guaido as President of Venezuela.
The Venezuelan government immediately rejected any ultimatums. Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said that no one has the right to force Venezuela to follow any path or to hold early elections: “We thank the governments of Mexico, Uruguay and the Caribbean Community for their support, without any intention of imposing it. No one has the right to set deadlines for us, or tell us whether we must hold elections or not. The decision must be made by the Venezuelan people, as well as the government and the opposition in good faith.”
Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia accused the US and its allies of wanting to overthrow Venezuela's constitutional leader: "Ultimatums are not the way to resolve the crisis in Venezuela. We strongly oppose any external intervention, as well as any ultimatums. What we need to do is create conditions for the political factions in Venezuela to resolve the crisis peacefully to restore stability in the country."
As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Equatorial Guinea has asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to act as a mediator in Venezuela, while China has called for calm from all parties.
So far, the US is the only country among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to recognize Juan Guaido as Venezuela's president. In Caracas, President Nicolas Maduro, with strong support from the military, on January 26 called for people to unite against the coup plot, which aims to divide the country. According to non-governmental organizations, clashes between central government supporters and the opposition have killed at least 26 people in the past four days and more than 350 people have been arrested./.
