UNITED NATIONS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 08th March, 2019) The United Nations and its agencies have a humanitarian presence in Venezuela and are operating in partnership with the government of President Nicolas Maduro, UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing on Thursday.
"The UN has a presence in Venezuela; we work with our folks on the ground, whether it is UNICEF or the [World] Health Organization, we work in the partnership with the government and what programs are run by the UN are done in keeping with the humanitarian principles," Dujarric said.
Dujarric said the UN's aid programs are completed without political considerations, adding that humanitarian aid should be distributed based on the needs of people in Venezuela.
In January, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the United Nations stood ready to increase aid to Venezuela, but added that consent and cooperation from the government of Venezuela were needed to take that action.
On February 23, the Venezuelan opposition tried to force US-sponsored aid into the country through the borders with Colombia and Brazil. The failed attempt sparked clashes between Venezuelan officers, who prevented trucks from crossing without permission, and pro-aid protesters.
Maduro has said Caracas would not accept the US aid and has characterized Washington's attempts to deliver supplies to Venezuela as a violation of the country's sovereignty.
Tensions in Venezuela escalated in January when opposition leader Juan Guaido illegally declared himself interim president. The United States immediately recognized Guaido, seized billions of Dollars' worth of the country's oil assets, and threatened to use military action against Maduro's government. Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia and a number of other countries have reaffirmed their support for Maduro as Venezuela's only legitimate president.
