FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

Lavrov Slams U.S. and Allies for ‘Brazenly Violating’ International Law against Venezuela

Jan. 29, 2019 (EIRNS)—Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated today that

“We are concerned about what the U.S. and its closest allies are doing with respect to Venezuela, brazenly violating all imaginable norms of international law and actually openly pursuing the policy aimed at overthrowing the legitimate government in that Latin American country,”

reported TASS. Lavrov referred to the decision to exempt American businesses from the sanctions against Venezuela:

“This merely underscores the cynicism of the current developments. U.S. companies operating in Venezuela are exempt from these sanctions. In other words, they wish to topple the government and derive material gains from this.... According to our sources, the leaders of the opposition movement who have declared dual power are in fact receiving instructions from Washington not to make any concessions until the authorities agree to abdicate in some way.”

Lavrov continued:

“Together with other responsible members of the international community, we will do everything to support President Maduro’s legitimate government in upholding the Venezuelan constitution and employing methods to resolve the crisis that are within the constitutional framework.”

China Daily also denounced the regime-change operation in Venezuela, comparing it to what was attempted in Syria in an editorial Jan. 27.

“Whatever has happened in Venezuela, it is still a sovereign country which has the say over its own fate. No country has the right to dictate to this nation and its people how to settle its own political crisis.... What has happened in Syria in the Middle East, where a civil war has lasted for years between the Syrian government forces and those opposing it, should serve as a mirror to reflect what would likely happen should the situation in Venezuela spin out of control.”