UNITED NATIONS, United States, Jan 27, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The United States
pressed all nations Saturday to “stand with the forces of freedom” in
Venezuela, encouraged by a tougher European line as Russia stood in the
minority in backing embattled leader Nicolas Maduro.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a forceful case at a special session
of the United Nations Security Council, where he described Maduro as part of
an “illegitimate mafia state” responsible for Venezuela’s economic collapse.
With mounting protests over Venezuela’s crisis in which more than two
million have fled shortages of basic food and medicine, Pompeo asked all
nations to follow the US in recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as the
interim president.
“Now it is time for every other nation to pick a side. No more delays, no
more games. Either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you’re in league
with Maduro and his mayhem,” Pompeo said.
He also urged all countries to end financial transactions with Maduro’s
government, which has struggled to pay bills despite the country’s oil
wealth.
Pompeo denounced Russia and China, which have stood by Maduro, saying that
they were “propping up a failed regime in the hopes of recovering billions of
dollars in ill-considered investments and assistance made over the years.”
Russia has denounced the United States for interference and attempted to
block the Security Council meeting, but it was voted down with nine of the 15
members agreeing to go forward.
But Russia blocked a draft Security Council statement seen by AFP that
would have offered full support to Guaido and called the National Assembly
that he heads “Venezuela’s only democratically elected institution.”
“Venezuela does not pose any threat to peace and security. The intention of
the United States is to orchestrate a coup d’etat,” said the Russian
ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia.
He accused the United States of continuing to treat Latin America as a
“backyard where you can do anything you want” and, in a shot at the
Europeans, said Russia would not raise France’s populist Yellow Vest protests
at the Security Council.
– Europeans set deadline –
President Donald Trump’s recognition of Guaido has been supported by many
Latin American powers including Brazil, Colombia and Argentina — but not
all.
European powers, after cautious initial statements, on Saturday warned that
they will recognize Guaido unless Maduro calls elections within eight days.
“If within eight days there are no fair, free and transparent elections
called in Venezuela, Spain will recognize Juan Guaido as Venezuelan
president” so that he himself can call the vote, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro
Sanchez said in a televised announcement.
Britain, France, and Germany followed suit, with French President Emmanuel
Macron tweeting: “The Venezuelan people must be able to freely decide on
their future.”
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza rejected the ultimatum, accusing
the Europeans of “putting themselves at the tail” of Trump.
“From where do you get the power to issue deadlines or ultimatums to a
sovereign people?” he told the Security Council.
The 28-member European Union is not united on Venezuela, with Greece’s
ruling left-wing Syriza party voicing “full support and solidarity” for
Maduro.
– Tense days ahead –
Maduro’s reelection last year was contested by the opposition and rejected
by the US, EU and UN as a sham — but he has until now retained the loyalty
of the powerful military.
Guaido, who has managed to galvanize a previously divided opposition, this
week attempted to attract military support by offering an amnesty to anyone
who disavows Maduro — and suggested amnesty for Maduro himself — but with
no luck so far.
He scored a symbolic victory when Venezuela’s military attache to
Washington, Colonel Jose Luis Silva, announced Saturday he was breaking with
Maduro and called on his colleagues in the armed forces to follow suit.
But Guaido was also forced to admit he had held a meeting with Maduro’s
number two Diosdado Cabello after the government published a video of the
rendezvous.
Guaido had previously rejected an offer of talks, saying he won’t attend a
“fake dialogue” on a crisis that has left 26 dead in clashes this week
between anti-Maduro activists and security forces.
More than 350 people have also been detained this week in the protests, UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Friday.
Both Guaido and Maduro have called for demonstrations next week, raising
fears of further violence.
Maduro has given US diplomats until late Saturday to leave Venezuela.
The United States said it was ignoring the order as it no longer considers
Maduro the president — but withdrew non-essential staff and argued that
Maduro still bore responsibility for diplomats’ safety.
As the deadline expired, Maduro said he had begun negotiations to set up
within 30 days an Interests Section in Caracas to maintain a minimum level of
diplomatic contact, similar to the arrangement the US had with Cuba until
their 2015 rapprochement.