Iran Reiterates Support for Venezuelan Government

Date: 24 February 2019 - 21:23

News ID: ۶۳۵۲۶

TEHRAN (Dispatches) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif and Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister Ruben Dario Molina discussed here Sunday the latest developments in the Latin American country, condemning U.S. meddling in the crisis.
Molina briefed Zarif on the situation in his country and appreciated Iran’s efforts to help improve the situation in Venezuela.
For his part, Zarif rejected any foreign interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs and expressed support for the Venezuelan government and people.
He also reiterated Iran’s support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s proposal for political talks between the government and the opposition to resolve the crisis.
The two sides also condemned the U.S. government’s meddling in the internal affairs of Venezuela and other Latin American countries, saying their threat to use force against Caracas is doomed, which violates international law and the United Nations Charter.
Another official said Iran is ready to send medicine and medical equipment to Venezuela.
Head of the Food and Drug Administration of Iran Mahdi Pirsalehi said his organization is also ready to provide Venezuela with technical know-how in the medical sector under an agreement the two sides have signed in 2018.
Venezuela has been in political turmoil since opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the interim government, winning immediate recognition from the U.S. and its allies.
Guaido said on Sunday he planned to propose that the U.S. consider "all options" to oust President Maduro after a bid to bring in American "aid" was blocked by Venezuela's army.
Guaido said he will meet U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and other American officials in the Colombian capital of Bogota on Monday to decide on ramping up pressure on Maduro to step down.
President Donald Trump has in the past said military intervention in Venezuela is "an option". Hawkish U.S. national security adviser John Bolton has canceled his trip to South Korea in order to "focus on events in Venezuela".
The Venezuelan military has reaffirmed its support for Maduro despite Trump's threat of dire consequences if troops do not abandon the president.