Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia told reporters on Saturday after an emergency UNSC meeting on Venezuela that the ultimatum on possible recognition of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president unless President Nicolas Maduro sets the date for an election within eight days "absurd."
UNITED NATIONS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 26th January, 2019) Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia told reporters on Saturday after an emergency UNSC meeting on Venezuela that the ultimatum on possible recognition of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president unless President Nicolas Maduro sets the date for an election within eight days "absurd.""I heard EU speaking in the chamber about this absurd eight-day ultimatum. I wonder what genius invented that formula, ridiculous one. Why eight days? Why is this deadline? This is not a way to resolve the crisis in Venezuela. We strongly object any external interference. We strongly object any ultimatums. What we need to do is to facilitate political sides in Venezuela to resolve the crisis peacefully and to get country back to normal [life]," Nebenzia said.
Earlier in the day, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain declared their intention to recognize the head of opposition-controlled National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, as interim president of the country, if new elections are not announced in the country within eight days.
On Tuesday, the situation in Venezuela escalated when the opposition-controlled National Assembly declared that President Nicolas Maduro had usurped power. Guaido proclaimed himself interim president the following day. The United States along with its allies and some Latin American countries have recognized Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela.
Russia, China, Mexico, Uruguay and other countries, have expressed support for the Maduro government as Venezuela's legitimate authority.
