SAN JOSE (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 08th May, 2019) The International Contact Group (ICG) will engage Russia in solving the crisis in Venezuela through private diplomatic contacts, Costa Rican Foreign Minister Manuel Ventura Robles told Sputnik after an ICG meeting on the situation in Venezuela.
Upon the meeting's completion, European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the ICG members discussed the decision to establish contacts with the Lima Group, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, Cuba, China and Russia to help create an environment to resolve the political crisis in Venezuela.
When asked how the ICG will engage Russia, Robles said, "That would be a diplomatic contact, privately. To talk."
The ICG is comprised of eight EU member states - France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom as well as four Latin American countries - Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Uruguay.
Venezuela has experienced crisis since January when opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself to be interim president.
The United States and 54 countries recognized Guaido, but Russia, China, Turkey and numerous other countries have said they recognize President Nicolas Maduro as the only legitimate head of state in Venezuela.
Maduro has called Guaido a US puppet and accused the United States of orchestrating a coup in Venezuela to effect a forced change of government and claim the country's resources.
