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The US Secretary of State called on countries to "take sides" for Venezuela, asking them to support the opposition leader, Juan Guaido, and calling for free and fair elections as soon as possible in a speech. delivered to the United Nations Security Council.
"Now, it's time for all nations to choose their side, no more delays, no more games, either you stand at the forces of freedom, or you're in league with [Nicolas] Maduro and his chaos, "said Mike Pompeo at 15 members UNSC Saturday.
Pompeo was addressing the UNSC after Washington and its regional allies recognized Guaido as head of state and urged Venezuelan President Maduro to step down.
"We call on all members of the Security Council to support the democratic transition in Venezuela and the role of the acting president, Guaido," he said.
Russia tried unsuccessfully to stop the meeting requested by the United States. Moscow has accused Washington of planning a coup attempt, placing Venezuela at the heart of a growing geopolitical duel.
"Venezuela does not pose a threat to peace and security," Russian Ambbadador to the UN Vbadily Nebenzia told the UN Security Council.
"If anything represents a threat to peace, it is the unscrupulous and aggressive action of the United States and its allies to overthrow the legitimately elected President of Venezuela," he said. he declares.
Russia and China oppose pressure from the United States for the UN to support Guaido
Russia, China, South Africa and Equatorial Guinea have blocked US pressure for a UN Security Council statement expressing full support for the National Assembly of Venezuela as the only "democratically elected institution" in the country.
Maduro deprived the National Assembly, currently headed by Guaido, of legislative powers nearly a year and a half after the opposition took control of the House in December 2015.
In his report to Washington DC, Mike Hanna of Al Jazeera said that the majority of the members of the Security Council had supported the United States in the geopolitical standoff.
"Russia expresses very clearly its opposition to what it considers to be an intervention in the sovereignty of a state," he said. "He is supported by China, but the procedural vote has made it very clear that the weight of opinion in the UN Security Council rests with the United States at this particular stage.
"We have heard the US Secretary of State explain very clearly that the President of the National Assembly should be recognized as the leader of Venezuela and that Nicolas Maduro should step down.It is the American position. "
The session took place one day after Guaido swore to stay on the street until his country had a transitional government, while Maduro locked himself in the ground and accused his opponents of being in the middle of the day. orchestrating a coup d'etat.
At competing press conferences, Guaido urged his supporters to hold another mbad protest next week as Maduro pushed his call for dialogue.
Every man seemed ready to defend his claim to the presidency at any cost, Guaido telling his supporters that they were arrested, they should "stay the course" and protest peacefully.
The Security Council meeting takes place on a day when the EU and several of its member countries, including France, Spain and Germany, have called on Maduro to organize free and fair elections in the eight days, otherwise they would consider recognizing Guaido as the legitimate leader of the besieged country. .
The Venezuelan Foreign Minister rejected the European ultimatum, insisting that Maduro remain the legitimate president.
"Nobody will give us deadlines or tell us whether there are elections or not," said Jorge Arreaza at the UN special session.
"How is it that you can issue an ultimatum to a sovereign government?" he said.
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
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