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Russia’s envoy asks Pompeo if US ready to intervene in Venezuela

Vassily Nebenzia pointed out that US high-ranking officials "have been dropping clear hints about the use of force against Venezuela speculating about ‘options on the table’

THE UNITED NATIONS, January 27. /TASS/. Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia lashed out at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanding a clear answer whether the United States plans to use military force against Venezuela in the breach of the UN Charter.

Speaking on Saturday at the UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela, the Russian ambassador pointed out that US high-ranking officials "have been dropping clear hints about the use of force [against Venezuela] speculating about ‘options on the table’."

"Taking advantage of Mr. Pompeo’s presence, we want to ask directly whether it means that the United States is ready to use military force against a sovereign state under a bogus pretext?" Nebenzia asked. "It is here in this hall we need to hear a definite answer: if Washington intends once again to violate the UN Charter?"

Venezuela crisis

On January 23, Venezuelan parliament speaker and opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president at a rally in the country’s capital of Caracas. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in turn, blasted the move as a coup staged by Washington and said he was severing diplomatic ties with the US.

Several countries, including the Lima Group (excluding Mexico), the United States, Albania, Georgia, Switzerland and the Organization of American States, have recognized him.

Russia, Bolivia, Iran, Cuba, Nicaragua, Salvador and Turkey voiced support for Maduro, while China and Belarus called for resolving all differences peacefully and warned against foreign interference. The United Nations secretary general, in turn, called for dialogue to resolve the crisis.

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