Russia responds to the US against threats of maritime blockade to Venezuela

Moscow expressed concern about the US government’s aggressions towards the Venezuelan people. In this regard, the spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, María Zajárova, said Wednesday that “Washington’s unilateral measures contradict international law, create more and more obstacles to the supply of essential products to Venezuela, that obviously worsens the situation of all Venezuelan citizens regardless of their political preferences”. Zajárova’s assertions take place after the administration of Donald Trump issued statements about new pressure options towards Caracas, which include a maritime blockade. In this sense, Zajárova determined that, “the failed experience of the embargo on Cuba, which has lasted more than 50 years, has not taught Washington anything”. Zajárova expressed concern regarding the purposes of the Venezuelan opposition, which are aimed at overthrowing a legitimate government. “They allege the decision of the National Assembly in contempt on the resumption of participation in the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR). I want to remind those who do not know the so-called Rio Treaty, that Peru, Bolivia, Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Nicaragua and Ecuador withdrew themselves from it”. It should be noted that in 2012, Venezuela and the countries belonging to the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) announced that the members of this union were withdrawing from TIAR, “however the Venezuelan opposition wants to use it in its political struggle and they call for the creation of an international coalition, they formulate this task very precisely for an intervention”, said Zajárova. Also, the Russian spokeswoman urged the Venezuelan opposition to give a true show of patriotism, since instead of inviting foreign military, “it would be better to think about the scenario of commitment with the objective of normalizing the situation in Venezuela and you could start with the solution of issues such as social and economic problems”. Zajárova said she has hoped that Venezuela’s internal negotiations will reach a political-diplomatic solution. In this same direction, she addressed the international community and called on all States that have influence to promote the creation of a constructive environment in relation to the dialogue process facilitated by Norway.