Vice-minister Carlos Ron: Diplomacy and dialogue are not options at the table of the United States

In an interview offered for the television program «El Mundo en Contexto» transmitted through Venezolana de Televisión, the Vice-minister for North America of the People’s Power Ministry for Foreign Relations, Carlos Ron, emphasized that the case of Venezuela «means a nefarious precedent for other countries that maintain diplomatic relations with the United States», due to the disinterest of the Donald Trump’s government in adhering to international law and its clear intention to keep violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. «It’s interesting because we repeatedly heard spokespersons from his government saying that all options are on the table but it seems that diplomacy and dialogue is not an option at the US table (…) as it is a country with a military and economic power superior to other countries, the fact that they make such decisions against international law, is quite dangerous, it is serious», said the diplomat. The Vice-minister for North America stressed that these actions are an error in US policy and a total setback in global politics that could trigger in the future, a perpetual war or global anarchy. «It is difficult when the other party does not respect the minimum conditions (…) we on our part have always been interested in maintaining dialogue, in seeking relations of cordiality and respect between both countries and we will continue to maintain this position, the Vienna Convention on Relations Diplomacy is a sacred document and if it is not complied with, we will hardly advance, we want to urge the government of the United States not to fall at that level and to the international community to pronounce themselves and reject this type of conduct». The diplomat explained that the invasion of the Venezuelan diplomatic headquarters by the police agents and the impediment of delivery of food and medicine to the Protection Collective that remained inside the Embassy with the consent of the Venezuelan State, are evident examples of the violation of the Vienna Convention, which provides that: in the event of a breach of diplomatic relations between two States, or if a mission is terminated definitively or temporarily, the receiving State will be obliged to respect and protect, even in the event of a conflict armed, the premises of the mission as well as its assets and archives. «The political reasons that the United States may have to attack Venezuela, as it does now, or the blockade that it has, can not justify international law to be thrown away», he added. The Vice-minister for North America of the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry also denounced that the people allied to the coup have tried repeatedly to undermine Venezuelan democracy, through unsuccessful coup attempts which they have replicated in Washington. On the other hand, he applauded the bravery of the four North American activists who remained until the end inside the diplomatic headquarters to protect it despite the siege they faced. «As Venezuelans, we must be very proud that these four activists have defended our sovereignty (…) when facing the illegal position of their government (…) they are aware that these actions could lead to a greater conflict, they wanted to avoid a war between The United States and Venezuela, they are activists in defense of peace», he said. Vice-minister Carlos Ron added that it is important that Venezuelans show their respect to these four activists, who were forcibly evicted from the Venezuelan diplomatic headquarters while defending Venezuela against the illegal actions of their government. «The problem here, is the product of a government that does not act in a rational manner while the true American people are defending the peace and sovereignty of Venezuela, in contrast to hundreds of Venezuelans who were pushing for an opposite cause (…) it’s sad to see that there were Venezuelan citizens outside who asked the Southern Command for an armed intervention in their country», he added.