ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: Service members of the Venezuelan Armed Forces
On March 2nd, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo discussed the situation in Venezuela over the phone.
The conversation was held on US initiative and during it Lavrov condemned the American threats against her legitimate leadership, which is blatant interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state and a flagrant violation of international law. Instigation and destructive external influence, and even under the hypocritical pretext of rendering humanitarian aid, has nothing to do with the democratic process.
In connection with Washington’s proposal to hold bilateral consultations on Venezuelan issues, we have indicated that we are ready for this, but it is necessary to strictly follow the principles of the UN Charter, since only the Venezuelans have the right to determine their future.
On March 3rd, US-Proclaimed Interim President Juan Guaido announced his return to Venezuela.
He left the country to visit Colombia on February 22nd and has since visited several South American countries. He did so despite a prohibition to leave Venezuela by the country’s Supreme Court.
Anuncio mi regreso al país y la convocatoria de movilizaciones en todo el territorio nacional para este lunes y martes.
Difundamos este mensaje y estén muy atentos a nuestro llamado a través de las redes oficiales. #VamosBien
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) March 3, 2019
“I announce my return to the country and the call for mobilizations throughout the national territory for this Monday and Tuesday [March 4th and 5th]. Spread this message and be very attentive to our call through official networks.”
Ahead of his return, the EU Higher Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini released a statement saying that “any measure that could put at risk Juan Guaidó’s freedom, safety or personal integrity would represent a major escalation of tensions and meet the firm condemnation of the international community.”
Declaration by @FedericaMog on behalf of the EU ?? on #Venezuela ??
Any measure that could put at risk @jguaido’s freedom, safety or personal integrity would represent a major escalation of tensions & meet firm condemnation of international community.https://t.co/s3XNB7UYuC
— EU Council Press (@EUCouncilPress) March 2, 2019
Furthermore, the statement reminded that members of the National Assembly enjoy constitutionally granted immunity that needs to be fully respected. They should be able to exercise their parliamentary mandate free of intimidation on them or their family members.
Before returning to Venezuela, Guaido visited Ecuador, meeting with President Lenin Moreno. He went there after being invited by Moreno on February 28th.
He conversado con el presidente @jguaido. Le he invitado a Ecuador para que reciba el afecto y respaldo de un pueblo que ama la democracia.
— Lenín Moreno (@Lenin) March 1, 2019
“I’ve talked to the President @jguaido. I have invited him to Ecuador to receive the affection and support of a people who love democracy.”
Hoy Venezuela y Ecuador reivindicamos los lazos que nos unen.
Gracias Presidente @Lenin por respaldar nuestros esfuerzos por liberar y reconstruir a Venezuela.
Como naciones hermanas, seguiremos profundizando la cooperación mutua y fortaleciendo nuestras relaciones. #VamosBien pic.twitter.com/niDLPo5pJl
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) March 2, 2019
“Today Venezuela and Ecuador strengthen the bonds that unite us. Thank you @Lenin, President, for supporting our efforts to liberate and rebuild Venezuela. As sister nations, we will continue to deepen mutual cooperation and strengthen our relations.”
Prior to that he visited Argentina and spoke to Argentinian President Mauricio Mauri:
Ya nos encontramos en territorio argentino, donde nos reuniremos en instantes con el Presidente @mauriciomacri en el marco de nuestra agenda para que Venezuela recupere su democracia y conquiste su libertad. pic.twitter.com/SoCTM1bPpH
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) March 2, 2019
“#Argentina we are already in Argentine territory, where we will meet in moments with the President @mauriciomacri in the framework of our agenda for Venezuela to regain its democracy and conquer its freedom.”
And before that Paraguay:
Gracias Presidente @MaritoAbdo por acompañar decididamente nuestra lucha por recuperar la democracia en Venezuela.
Cuente con el apoyo de millones de venezolanos que también agradecen su respaldo y compromiso con nuestra libertad. pic.twitter.com/GZ22DWDiyD
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) March 1, 2019
“Thank you President @MaritoAbdo for accompanying decisively our struggle to recover democracy in Venezuela. Count on the support of millions of Venezuelans who also appreciate your support and commitment to our freedom”
Guaido also thanked Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández for the country’s contribution of 2 tons of humanitarian aid to Venezuela:
Gracias al Presidente @JuanOrlandoH y a todo el pueblo hondureño por la donación de dos toneladas de ayuda humanitaria para los venezolanos.
Seguiremos coordinando las acciones necesarias para lograr el ingreso de la comida y medicinas que tanto necesita nuestro país.
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) March 2, 2019
Meanwhile, on March 1st in response to the new sanctions imposed by the US against Venezuelan military officials, the Venezuelan government released a statement:
RT @jaarreaza: Venezuela rejects the intended imposition of unilateral coercive measures, wich are illegal, announced by the US government against Venezuelan military officers, as part of the failed strategy of Washington to promote a coup d'état. pic.twitter.com/f78DmuNBD0
— Nicolás Maduro (@maduro_en) March 2, 2019
The translated statement reads the following:
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejects again and in the most categorical way, the alleged imposition of illegal unilateral coercive measures announced today by the United States government against Venezuelan military officers, as part of the failed strategy of Washington to promote and provoke an uprising against the Constitutional Government of the Constitutional President Nicolás Maduro.
The Trump administration thus admits its purpose to harm military patriots by acting in defense of the Constitution, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Venezuela, through actions aimed at repelling what evidently constituted a rude attempt of invasion to the country and a flagrant aggression to the dignity of the Venezuelan people.
In its sickly eagerness to undermine the institutions and the laws of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Washington has recognized that, appealing to the most infamous media, it intends to break the nationalist commitment of the Venezuelan military, going so far as to resort to attempts at bribery and direct threat, recurrently running into a wall of dignity and loyalty to the people, of the worthy officers of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces.
The Bolivarian Government demands the immediate cessation of the multiform aggression and demands that the international community enforce the Charter of the United Nations in its fundamental principles and purposes, in order to stop this obsessive imperialist onslaught against the sovereign people of Venezuela.”
Meanwhile, Ana Rosario Contreras, president of the School of Nurses of Caracas and an opposition supporter alleged that the Maduro government is to blame for any patient that dies in Venezuela.
#28Feb Ana Rosario Contreras, presidenta del Colegio de Enfermeras de Caracas: Fuimos objeto de mentiras por parte del gobierno que hoy usurpa Nicolás Maduro. Si en Venezuela muere un paciente es culpa de los usurpadores. pic.twitter.com/DvzBU7gnLO – @TVVnoticias
— Reporte Ya (@ReporteYa) February 28, 2019
“We were the object of lies by the government that Nicolás Maduro is usurping today, where are the medicines that were going to reach the Periférico de Catia, or the Pérez de León? You have lied to the country, we can not continue to allow health to continue to be a show, and every time a patient dies it is the responsibility of the usurper, “Contreras said.
US National Security Adviser John Bolton also used the chance to continue his accusations:
Maduro has lied about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, he contracts criminals to burn food and medicine intended for the Venezuelan people, and now he is lying about purported aid from Russia. https://t.co/yQDscA6CSq
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) March 2, 2019
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