Iran Press/America: Medea Benjamin called on other nations in the region to respect Venezuela's sovereignty—as she interrupted remarks by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a meeting of the Organization for American States (OAS) in Washington, DC on Thursday.
"Don't support the coup!" Medea Benjamin, declared, holding up a sign at the end of the council room. "A coup is not a democratic transition! Do not listen to Secretary Pompeo!", Iran Press reported.
As security guards forcibly removed her from the OAS meeting, she continued, "Do not support the coup! Do no support the coup in Venezuela!"
Backed by the support of the United States, Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president of the country.
Speaking to people gathering in avenues in eastern Caracas on Wednesday, Guaido called for free elections in the country.
In a statement minutes later, US President Donald Trump recognized Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate interim president, and a Canadian official said Canada was preparing also to add its support.
This is while Nicolas Maduro was sworn on January 10 for his second term as Venezuela's president.
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Guaido’s declaration takes Venezuela into uncharted territory, with the possibility of the opposition now running a parallel government recognized by some countries including the US as legitimate but without control over state functions.
Meanwhile, in a clear response to Trump’s decision earlier on Wednesday to recognize Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president, Maduro in a Wednesday statement outside his palace in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas officially broke off diplomatic ties between the US and his country. American diplomats now have 72 hours to leave the country.
The Venezuelan crisis has prompted different reactions from the international community. Russia and Turkey have opposed US meddling in Venezuela's internal affairs.
Iranian Foreign Ministry also condemned the US unlawful measure in this regard, hoping that any political disagreements in Venezuela will be resolved as soon as possible by the people and government of the country through the adoption of legal and peaceful solutions. 101/ 211 / 202
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