UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres responded to the letter sent by Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido for assistance and said the United Nations stands ready to increase humanitarian aid to Venezuela, United Nations Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing on Thursday.

“The Secretary-General did respond to the letter sent via Twitter by President of the National Assembly Juan Guaido which he sent earlier this week,” Dujarric told reporters. “The Secretary-General … is concerned regarding the crisis in the country and the impact that it is having on the Venezuelan people. He said the United Nations is ready to increase its activities in Venezuela in the areas of humanitarian assistance and development.”

Guterres explained in the letter that the United Nations needs consent and cooperation from the government of Venezuela in order to assist the country, Dujarric said.

The spokesman also said the United Nations is aware of the initiative by Mexico and Uruguay and supported by Bolivia to hold an international conference on the peaceful settlement of the current political crisis in Venezuela.
The United Nations is awaiting more details on the proposed conference, Dujarric said.

Source: Agencies