MOSCOW, February 3. /TASS/. The United States has used lies to justify an attack on Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, said ambassador to Russia Jesus Salazar Velasquez and called on the international community to take measures to comply with the UN Charter.
"A month ago, aggression was committed against my country, against its sovereignty and statehood in violation of the UN Charter and international law. I want to remember the brave soldiers and Cuban fighters who gave their lives to protect the integrity, sovereignty of my country and the lives of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife," the diplomat said during a rally in support of Maduro at the Venezuelan embassy.
"Today we no longer hear any talk about bombing and attacking ships in the Caribbean, we no longer hear about cartels, we no longer hear any accusations of drug trafficking. Thus, we see that the lies that American imperialism used against our country to attack and commit crimes against such a worthy and honest person as our president have been completely exposed.
"Today the United States is concentrating its armed forces, threatening Cuba and other Caribbean countries and saying that they will follow the same example as the actions in Venezuela. International diplomacy will have to take important steps to demand the implementation of the UN Charter and respect for the integrity and sovereignty of countries."
On January 3, US President Donald Trump ordered a military operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife. On January 5, they appeared before the Federal Court for the Southern District of New York and were charged with drug trafficking. They pleaded not guilty. Delcy Rodriguez, who served as executive vice president under Maduro, is now the head of state. Trump previously promised that the United States would take over the interim administration of Venezuela.