Iran Press/America: While the United States and its allies escalate tensions via a multi-pronged strategy that combines sanctions with attempts to deliver the so-called aid, UN Security Council is set to hold a meeting on the situation in Venezuela, Sputnik reported.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at 3:00 p.m. EST (8:00 p.m. GMT) at UN headquarters in New York.
The United States is expected to urge the Security Council to call for new presidential elections in Venezuela. Earlier in the month, media reported that the United States would like to submit its own draft UNSC resolution.
Russia had prepared its own draft document in support of Venezuela, calling on UN member-states to halt attempts to intervene in the Latin American country’s foreign affairs and stressing the need for a peaceful settlement to the crisis.
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South African Ambassador to the United Nations, Jerry Matthews Matjila, told Sputnik that any humanitarian aid to Venezuela must be with the agreement of the government of Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused Washington of trying to use so-called humanitarian aid as a ploy to oust him from power.
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Moreover, the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross have urged Washington not to deliver aid without the consent of the Venezuelan government.
Condemning Washington’s interventions in Caracas’ internal affairs, Lu Kang, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, also said in a statement the government was against any 'intervention by external forces in the internal affairs of Venezuela'.
Political tensions have been running high in the South American country since late January when Western-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido abruptly declared himself “interim president” of Venezuela in an attempt to dispute last year’s re-election of Maduro.
US President Donald Trump after recognizing Guaido, threatened Venezuela by saying military intervention is an option to support Guaido. 103/209
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