Iran Press/America: Venezuela's National Assembly leader, Juan Guaido has declared himself the legitimate leader of the country and inaugurated as self-declared president of the country. US President Donald Trump recognized him as the country’s interim president, ratcheting up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro. In a statement, Trump said he would use 'the full weight of United States economic and diplomatic power to interfere in Venezuela and overthrow Nicolas Maduro, democratically elected president of Venezuela.'
Iran's ambassador to Bolivia: US is meddling in Venezuelan internal affairs
Maduro, in response, said that he would withstand against US plots against his country and warned about a possible coup attempt. In his tweet account, Maduro said "Threat of coup still exist and I ask Venezuelan people to bravely come to the streets and continue their usual business. Venezuela seeks peace, not coup and foreign interference".
At the same time, Venezuela’s influential army has thrown its support behind President Nicolas Maduro in the face of a challenge to his rule by US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido and therefore, it becomes harder for Washington and US-backed forces in Venezuela to overthrow Maduro's leftist government.
Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino, in comments broadcast by state television, said that Mr. Maduro is the country’s rightful leader and condemned what he described as Guaidó’s unlawful attempt to wrest power. He stressed that opposition groups are attempting for a coup.
Although the US and its regional and global allies and partners, including Canada, Panama, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Guatemala have recognized Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela, global response to these measures was negative and other global powers like Russia, China has supported elected and legal government of Maduro.
In this regard, Iran, Mexico, Bolivia, Cuba, Turkey also supported Maduro's government and reiterated that they recognize Maduro as the legal and legitimate president of Venezuela.
In a telephone conversation with Maduro, Putin and Erdogan, presidents of Russia and Turkey emphasized their support for him. China asked the US to stay away from the political crisis in Venezuela and avoid any interference in the country's internal affairs. UN Chief Antonio Guterres appealed for dialogue to stop Venezuela's political crisis, as well.
Now, it is clear that the West has made up a united front for overthrowing elected and legitimate government in Venezuela, an intention that is in harsh contrast with the very spirit of international norms and standards, considered as interference in internal affairs of an independent country and violates UN charter. This hegemonic approach has been criticized many times by China and Russia.
In fact, western countries use subjects like international laws and institutions as an instrument to advance their interests and wherever their interests require, they become totally incurious.
As Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her facebook, "The developments in Venezuela show very well how progressive Western society really treats international law, sovereignty, and non-interference into internal affairs of other states". 212/ 103
Written by: Seyyed Reza Mirtaher
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