The United States will boost efforts to organize donations for humanitarian aid and continue to try to deliver such aid to Venezuela, US Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams told reporters on Thursday
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 15th February, 2019) The United States will boost efforts to organize donations for humanitarian aid and continue to try to deliver such aid to Venezuela, US Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams told reporters on Thursday.
"We are going to continue with and are going to increase our efforts to organize donations of humanitarian assistance to Venezuela," Abrams said.
Abrams explained that some humanitarian aid has made it into the country despite efforts by President Nicolas Maduro's government to block it.
On January 23, opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president of Venezuela. The United States and its allies almost immediately recognized Guaido.
US Vice President Mike Pence in a phone call the night before promised Guaido the United States would provide support to the self-proclaimed president, according to media reports.
Russia, China, Turkey and Mexico, among other nations, voiced support for Maduro, who, in turn, accused the United States of orchestrating a coup d'etat to effect government change.
European Union member states were expected to issue a joint statement recognizing Guaido, but Italy vetoed the motion, according to a Sputnik source.
The Maduro government still holds power as Venezuela's army has reiterated its loyalty to the country's president despite the opposition's calls for the military leadership to switch allegiances.
