While the conflict in Venezuela may be heading for a decision, the international allies are positioning themselves. The USA reaffirm their support for Guaidó – warnings come from Russia.
With the liberation of the opposition leader Leopoldo López, the power struggle in Venezuela could have reached its decisive phase. The self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaidó claims the support of large parts of the military for himself – the government of the incumbent head of state Nicolás Maduro, however, speaks only of a small group that has become apostate.
In light of the latest events, the international allies of the warring factions are also positioning themselves. The US, many EU countries and many Latin American countries have already recognized Guaidó as a transitional chief of state. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated the American stance: „The US government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their desire for freedom and democracy,“ he wrote on Twitter. Democracy can not be defeated.
US National Security Advisor John Bolton called on Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López to use the army to defend the „Constitution and the Venezuelan People.“ The armed forces would have to side with the „legitimate institutions“ and against the attacks on democracy, he tweeted.
The US wanted a peaceful transfer of power in the country, Bolton said later. US President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter. „I’m watching the situation in Venezuela very closely.“
Maas: „Support in no way changed“
Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also reaffirmed during his visit to Brazil that Germany continues to rely on the self-proclaimed interim president. „Our support for Juan Guaidó has not changed in any way,“ he said. He hopes that the situation will remain peaceful.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro wrote on Twitter that his country is in solidarity with the Venezuelan people, which is enslaved by a „dictator“. Support the freedom of the Venezuelan nation.
Russia against outside interference
Maduro’s allies, on the other hand, are backing the incumbent president. „We condemn this Putschist movement, which aims to forcefully overrun the country,“ Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel wrote on Twitter. Bolivia’s leader Evo Morales also said: „We strongly condemn this attempted coup d’état in Venezuela.“ He accused the United States of inciting violence in Venezuela.
Russia warned against outside interference in view of the precarious situation. There are forces that sought only a pretext for a violent intervention, wrote the head of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Russian Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev, on Facebook. He did not name the US by name, but demanded that the power conflict be solved through domestic dialogue and based on the mechanisms of the United Nations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin had discussed the situation with the Russian Security Council following the coup attempt in Venezuela. He did not name details.
Guterres calls for „maximum restraint“
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for maximum restraint on the part of the parties to the conflict. Guterres follows the events closely, said his spokesman. He urged everyone to avoid any form of violence and calm the situation as soon as possible.
The UN chief will not refer to the conflict for one of the two groups in the conflict, said the spokesman. The United Nations tried to contact both sides.
Should all those involved so wish, Antonio Guterres offers as an intermediary. The most important thing now is the protection of the population. In addition, the country is experiencing a very serious humanitarian crisis.
