Russia: US policy of “direct interference” in Venezuela’s internal affairs

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Kosachev stated: "The current US policy towards Venezuela, including Mr. Trump's latest statement, represents direct and brutal interference in Venezuela's internal affairs. The whole world has clearly seen the change of power in Libya when the US directly intervened, the difficulties that Iraq has encountered and the difficulties that Syria has almost encountered. Venezuela is next."

Self-proclaimed President Juan Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro. Photo: Getty

Mr. Kosachev noted that the events taking place in Venezuela are the country's internal affairs. He stressed: "The Venezuelan people need to be supported by developing cooperation with this country as well as promoting the solution of socio-economic problems, not by imposing an embargo on a country."

In a related development, Ambassador Carlos Rafael Faria Tortosa said that the Venezuelan Embassy in Russia will follow the instructions of President Nicolas Maduro. Mr. Tortosa stated: "We will follow the instructions of the constitutional President Nicolas Maduro. We do not accept a self-proclaimed president ordering us to do anything. We have full confidence in our constitutionally elected president."

Ambassador Tortosa affirmed that the Venezuelan Embassy in Moscow "is closely following developments and awaiting instructions from our government and Foreign Minister."

Earlier, the President of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, Juan Guaido, declared himself interim President of Venezuela. So far, a number of countries have recognized him as interim president, including Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala, Canada, Columbia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Peru, the United States, Chile and Ecuador.

Immediately, President Maduro called this a coup initiated by Washington and announced the severance of diplomatic relations with the United States.