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Lavrov slams Bolton's Monroe Doctrine remark on Venezuela as insult to entire region

The Russian foreign minister recalled that after the UN's establishment in 1945, international law has been ensured through the Charter of this "universal and the most legitimate organization"
US National Security Advisor John Bolton AP Photo/Cliff Owen
US National Security Advisor John Bolton
© AP Photo/Cliff Owen

DOHA, March 4. /TASS/. White House National Security Adviser John Bolton’s statement that Washington is not afraid of pursuing the Monroe Doctrine against Venezuela is a slap in the face to the entire Latin American region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

Lavrov recalled that after the United Nations was established in 1945, international law has been ensured through the Charter of this universal and the most legitimate organization. "The theory and practice of ‘backyards’ is insulting, to a large extent," Russia’s top diplomat stressed.

"I believe that Latin American states will react to John Bolton’s statement. He mentioned that the Monroe Doctrine could be used in Venezuela, insulting all of Latin America," he noted. "Moreover, several days ago Washington threatened that Venezuela would not be the end of the story, and that Cuba and Nicaragua would be next."
Earlier, Bolton said that Washington planned to create a broad coalition to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The White House adviser also said the US was sticking to the principles of the Monroe Doctrine.
President James Monroe coined the Monroe Doctrine, the cornerstone of US foreign policy, in 1823. Washington declared all of South America to be a zone of its exclusive interests. In case any external powers tried to interfere in the Americas, this would be viewed as a hostile act against the US, it said.