Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the situation in Venezuela in phone talks with his US counterpart, Mike Pompeo, on Wednesday, warning against the "gravest consequences" of "aggressive steps" against Caracas in light of the opposition's latest attempt to seize power in the Latin American country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 01st May, 2019) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the situation in Venezuela in phone talks with his US counterpart, Mike Pompeo, on Wednesday, warning against the "gravest consequences" of "aggressive steps" against Caracas in light of the opposition's latest attempt to seize power in the Latin American country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.On Tuesday, US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido, who illegally proclaimed himself interim president in January, called on Venezuelans and the country's military to join another attempt to overthrow the legitimate government. Clashes have since ensued but Venezuelan military has remained loyal to the Maduro government.
"The focus was on the situation in Venezuela, where yesterday the opposition, with the clear support of the United States, attempted to seize power. The Russian side stressed that Washington's interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state and threats to its leadership were a gross violation of international law," the ministry said in a statement.
Lavrov also warned that the "continuation of aggressive steps could result in gravest consequences," stressing that "only the Venezuelan people have the right to determine their own fate."
To this end, a dialogue with all national political forces involved something that the Venezuelan government has long been calling for is needed, he noted.
"Destructive external influence, especially a forceful one, has nothing to do with the democratic process," the statement added.
