Venezuela reiterates support to WHO in fight against COVID-19 pandemic

On Monday, April 27, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela participated in a technical briefing organized by the G77, China and Ireland to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Alternate Ambassador Joaquin Perez, together with diplomatic representatives from other countries, attended the virtual meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, where WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom and WHO Executive Director Mike Ryan provided relevant and updated information to fight this virus. “We reiterated our support to the WHO and insist that an eventual vaccine must provide a universal benefit and scope. It must be a world public asset. Once it is developed, its production must be sped up, and access to it must be equitable and affordable. It is the only way we can guarantee an effective control over COVID-19,” wrote the Venezuelan diplomat on his Twitter account @japerezve. Likewise, he pointed out that amid this pandemic, “preventing through sanctions a country’s effort to fight COVID-19 increases risks for everybody;” therefore, he urged the international community to solidarity and unity to fight a common enemy. Noteworthily, WHO director-general has insisted that to put an end to COVID-19, the world needs “unity and solidarity at the national and global levels to ensure equal access to solutions and innovations and to strengthen preparedness and health systems in countries.” However, some countries like the United States, the country with the highest number of cases, have chosen not to focus their efforts on international cooperation and not to follow the recommendations made by the organization.