"Destructive external intervention": Putin expressed support for the legitimate authorities of Venezuela

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, during which he expressed support for the country's legitimate authorities.

“(The President . - RT ) stressed that destructive external interference grossly violates the fundamental norms of international law,” the Kremlin’s press service said.

It is noted that Putin spoke in favor of finding solutions within the framework of the constitutional field and through peaceful dialogue.

In turn, during the conversation Maduro gave an assessment of the situation in the country and thanked the Russian leader for the “principled position of the Russian Federation,” the Kremlin reported.

"The mutual spirit was confirmed to continue Russian-Venezuelan cooperation in various fields," the report says.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that the recognition of Guayido as head of state by the United States and neighboring countries leads to the destruction of Venezuelan statehood and the deepening of internal conflict.

“Such an intentional and, obviously, well-thought-out creation of“ dual power ”in Venezuela, the formation of an alternative decision-making center is the direct path to chaos, the destruction of the foundations of Venezuelan statehood. Appeared the first human victims. We strongly condemn those who are pushing the Venezuelan society into the abyss of bloody civil strife, ”the foreign ministry said.

At the same time, Washington demonstrated its disregard for the norms of international law, trying to "play the role of the self-proclaimed arbiter of the destinies of other nations," the ministry added. Diplomats stressed that in this way the United States seeks to repeat “scenarios for changing undesirable governments.”

The Foreign Ministry also warned foreign countries against the idea of ​​armed intervention in the political processes of Venezuela. “We are cautioning against such adventures, which are fraught with catastrophic consequences,” the ministry stressed.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that Washington is considering all options, including military intervention.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, referring to the Venezuelan opposition, urged her to respect the national interests of his country.

“We urge them not to become pawns in a strange, very dirty criminal game,” said Lavrov.

The Kremlin condemned the actions of Guaido and called its self-proclamation as the temporary usurpation of the face.

“We consider the attempt to usurp supreme power in Venezuela to be contradictory and violating the fundamentals and principles of international law,” said Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov.

He stressed that Moscow continues to consider the legitimate head of state of the legitimate president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro.

The situation with the self-proclamation of the head of the National Assembly of Venezuela by the interim President of Venezuela and his recognition by a number of states was a quasi-coup. This was stated by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

“We have witnessed how another head of state“ gets out ”again on the square contrary to the constitution. Moreover, this quasi-turn is supported by the heads of several countries. Very fast. As if on cue, ”he wrote on his Twitter.

We witnessed how another head of state “gets out” once again on the square contrary to the constitution. Moreover, this quasi-turn is supported by the heads of several countries. Very fast. How on team # Venezuela

At the same time, Russia occupies a principled position of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, stressed the head of the committee of the Federation Council on international affairs, Konstantin Kosachev.

“Our principled position is that we deny any attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states, which is a common practice for the United States and its allies. But I hope that more countries will share this approach and I am glad to see that China, Turkey, Iran, Cuba and Mexico and some other states have expressed a very clear position on the conflict in Venezuela, ”he told RT.

• Head of the Venezuelan Opposition Juan Guaiido
• © Federico PARRA / AFP

"Directly had a hand in the crisis"

Recall, on January 23, the head of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, during large-scale anti-government protests in Caracas, declared himself the interim president.

“I swear to assume the authority of the executive branch of the country as the president of Venezuela and to achieve the cessation of the usurpation of power.” I accept responsibility in accordance with Articles of the Constitution 333 and 350, and I promise not to resort to violence, ”he said.

Almost immediately, the American leader Donald Trump recognized him in this status.

“The citizens of Venezuela have long suffered from the illegitimate regime of Maduro. Today, I officially recognize as president of Venezuela the head of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, ”he wrote on Twitter.

The citizens of Venezuela have been illegitimate for the Maduro regime. Today, Ian Juan Guaido, as the Interim President of the Venezuela. https://t.co/WItWPiG9jK

Then, similar statements were made in Argentina, Canada, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Georgia and a number of other countries.

According to Lavrov, so these states become involved in this political crisis.

“The fact that the United States and a number of other countries have recognized the self-proclaimed president indicates that they directly had a hand in the crisis in Venezuela,” the Russian minister said.

In support of the legitimate president Nicolas Maduro expressed, including in Russia, Bolivia, Mexico, Turkey, in Cuba.

“The President called the head of Venezuela Maduro, expressed his support from Turkey and said:“ Brother Maduro, hold on tight, we are with you! ” Turkey, under the leadership of its leader, will defend its principled position against coup attempts, ”said Turkish President’s press secretary Ibrahim Kalyn on Twitter.

Cumhurbaşkanımız, Venezuela Devlet Baskanı Nicolas Maduro'yu arayarak Türkiye'nin desteğini ifade etti ve “Maduro kardeşim! Dik dur, yanındayız ”dedi.
Türkiye, CB'mız Erdoğan'ın liderliğinde bütün darbe girişimlerine karşı ilkeli duruşunu koruyacaktır. #WeAreMADURO

China called on foreign countries to respect the sovereignty of Venezuela and not to interfere in the country's political processes.

“China supports the Venezuelan government in their efforts to maintain stability, preserve sovereignty and independence. We always adhere to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, oppose any interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela, ”said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a briefing.