Venezuela denounces forced occupation of its diplomatic headquarters in the US with support from the US government - MPPRE

Venezuela denounces forced occupation of its diplomatic headquarters in the US with support from the US government

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela hereby denounces before the International Community that its diplomatic premises in the United States are being broken into and taken over by persons who count on the public support of the United States government and who act as its agents in favour of its political interest in open violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Venezuelan diplomatic premises in the United States can be used by the diplomatic officials representing the democratic and constitutional government headed by President Nicolás Maduro only. This includes diplomats who currently perform their duties before U.S.-based multilateral agencies. Tolerate or promote any threat or intimidation against Venezuelan diplomatic officials by U.S. residents constitute a very serious violation of the United States Government international obligations. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela demands the U.S. authorities to comply with their lawful obligations and take the necessary steps to immediately revert said de facto forced occupation in compliance with the provisions set forth in Articles 22 and 45 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which contain the obligation to protect diplomatic premises, including in case diplomatic relations are broken off, in the manner Venezuela is actually doing with regard to the premises of the former U.S. Embassy to Caracas. Should the United States government persist in failing to comply with its international obligations, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reserves the corresponding decisions and legal and reciprocal actions in Venezuelan territory. Download the press release in PDF here