Türkiye says countries backing Guaido are “adding fuel to the fire”

Self-proclaimed President Guaido speaks to supporters on February 2. Photo: AFP

"They should try to solve the problem through dialogue. Is that what they are doing? No, foreign countries are adding fuel to the fire. The Venezuelan people are suffering because of this approach,"Reutersquoted Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaking today, mentioning the recognition of self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido as the legitimate leader of Venezuela by many countries.

Cavusoglu said Ankara had tried to initiate dialogue on Venezuela between Washington and Latin American countries last year. "However, those countries that are against Venezuela have never thought about a negotiated solution," he added.

The Venezuela tensions could become a serious point of division between the United States and Türkiye, two allies whose relations have been strained by their Syria policy, Iran sanctions and Ankara's decision to buy the S-400 long-range air defense system from Moscow.

US officials revealed last week that Washington was studying trade between Ankara and Caracas, saying the US would take countermeasures “if this violates the embargo”. Türkiye has since insisted that all economic deals are in line with international law.

The years-long crisis in Venezuela became tense after National Assembly President Juan Guaido declared himself "interim president" and was quickly recognized by the US, Canada and many Latin American countries.

The European Parliament approved a resolution recognizing Guaido as Venezuela's interim president and urged other European Union (EU) countries to follow suit.

However, Russia, China, Türkiye, many European countries and some Latin American countries still recognize Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela, and oppose any plot to use force to interfere in the country's internal affairs.