The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convened on 26 January at the request of the United States to discuss the situation in Venezuela, where opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself interim president, with the US and a number of its allies recognizing him as such.

Vassily Nebenzia, the Russian envoy to the United Nations, said that the current UN Security Council meeting is aimed at further destabilizing the situation in Venezuela, and that it is merely another element of a “US regime change strategy in Venezuela”.

“Today’s meeting was called by the US delegation with one goal only – to help continue destabilizing the situation in Venezuela, forcing this country to adopt their recipes and methods to resolve problems it [Venezuela] has to deal with recently”, he said.

The Russian envoy called on world powers to refrain from using threats, ultimatums and discriminatory economic measures against Venezuela, and to respect the country’s constitution.

“The United States is trying to initiate a coup d’etat in Venezuela,” he said, arguing that the United States’ actions in Venezuela are shameless and represent a breach of all norms of international law.

He added that Guaido does not enjoy the support of almost 70 per cent of Venezuela’s people, unlike Maduro.

“The United States is painting a confrontation between the Maduro regime and people of Venezuela. This picture is far from reality. In spite of everything, the leader of Venezuela obviously has broad support among people. By the way, according to sociological surveys… the National Assembly leader [Juan Guaido], who is currently positioned by Washington as almost a president is not supported by almost 70 percent of the people of Venezuela,” Nebenzia noted.

Source: Agencies