President Maduro thanks China’s support to fight COVID-19 in Venezuela

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro thanked China’s government on Thursday for its support to prevent and contain coronavirus (COVID-19) in the South American country. At the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, he explained that the Chinese government sent necessary diagnostic testing kits and equipment to detect potential coronavirus cases. “The support of China is coming. Thousands of testing kits are being shipped from China,” he stressed during a press conference with domestic and foreign reporters. He informed that the Venezuelan government has formally requested Xi Jinping’s government to send specialists, scientists and doctors that took part in controlling coronavirus in China “to unite knowledge and efforts.” President Maduro pointed out that Venezuela has received 10,000 doses of Interferon alfa 2b, a Cuban antiviral used to fight COVID-19 in China. “From Cuba we have received 10,000 doses of Interferon alfa 2b, which has been one of the most successful treatments to recover the health of patients and save their lives,” he added. Halt to campaigns causing fear and distress The Venezuelan president rejected campaigns on social networks causing fear and distress and promoted by extremist sectors to create instability in the country. “I call on them to put a halt on vicious campaigns that torture the minds of Venezuelans. The coronavirus pandemic is not an issue of ideological or political differences, or confrontations. It is about the health of the people,” he remarked. Presidential Press Office