FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

U.K. Leads the Way in Europe in Recognizing the Synthetic Guaidó Government in Venezuela

Feb. 5, 2019 (EIRNS)—Since Feb. 4 was the deadline for the illegal European ultimatum to the Maduro government to call new presidential elections in Venezuela or else, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt tweeted Feb. 4:

“Nicolas Maduro has not called Presidential elections within 8 day limit we have set. So U.K. alongside European allies now recognizes Guaidó as interim constitutional president until credible elections can be held. Let’s hope this takes us closer to ending humanitarian crisis.”

Hunt then issued a formal statement:

“The United Kingdom now recognizes Juan Guaidó as the constitutional interim President of Venezuela, until credible presidential elections can be held. The people of Venezuela have suffered enough. It is time for a new start, with free and fair elections in accordance with international democratic standards. The oppression of the illegitimate, kleptocratic Maduro regime must end. Those who continue to violate the human rights of ordinary Venezuelans under an illegitimate regime will be called to account. The Venezuelan people deserve a better future.”

The U.K. move to recognize Guaidó was followed by Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Sweden and other European nations, whereas others in Europe (especially Italy) are in disagreement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov slammed back:

“Imposing any solutions or efforts aimed at legitimizing the attempt of usurping power is, in our view, just direct and indirect meddling in Venezuela’s internal affairs. This does not contribute in any way to the peaceful, effective and vital settlement to the crisis, which Venezuelans are enduring and who should, as we believe, pull through it on their own.”

And Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told college students in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe that only direct talks between the Venezuelan government and the opposition could pave the way to a settlement. “Otherwise, there will be another regime change, like many in which the West has been engaged. There has not been a single country that benefitted from the regime change,” Lavrov said.