UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged authorities in Venezuela not to use lethal force against protesters, after soldiers shot dead two indigenous people who were attempting to prevent the sealing of a border crossing to Brazil.

"The UN will continue to act in accordance with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, working with Venezuelan institutions, to assist people in need," Guterres added in a statement following a meeting with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza.

An indigenous woman and her husband were killed and at least 15 other members of the Pemon indigenous community were injured in their clash with soldiers, rights group Kape Kape said.

The clash occurred in southeastern Bolivar state close to the border with Brazil, which President Nicolas Maduro ordered closed on Thursday.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged authorities in Venezuela not to use lethal force against protesters, after soldiers shot dead two indigenous people who were attempting to prevent the sealing of a border crossing to Brazil.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged authorities in Venezuela not to use lethal force against protesters, after soldiers shot dead two indigenous people who were attempting to prevent the sealing of a border crossing to Brazil. "The UN will continue to act in accordance with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, working with Venezuelan institutions, to assist people in need," Guterres added in a statement following a meeting with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza. An indigenous woman and her husband were killed and at least 15 other members of the Pemon indigenous community were injured in their clash with soldiers, rights group Kape Kape said. The clash occurred in southeastern Bolivar state close to the border with Brazil, which President Nicolas Maduro ordered closed on Thursday.

UN chief warns Maduro government against lethal force on protesters

Venezuela's armed forces said Tuesday they were on "alert" for border violations following threats by US President Donald Trump who urged them to back opposition leader Juan Guaido.

"The armed forces will remain deployed and on alert along the borders... to avoid any violations of territorial integrity," said Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, reading out a statement in a public appearance alongside top commanders.

"We reiterate unrestrictedly our obedience, subordination and loyalty" to President Nicolas Maduro, he added.

Maduro faces calls to quit as his country struggles with shortages of food and medicine.

The military high command has so far maintained its public backing for Maduro -- seen as key to keeping him in power.

Guaido, leader of the Venezuelan legislature, has declared himself acting president and is appealing to military leaders to switch allegiance to him.

He is backed by the United States and some 50 other countries.

The United States has sent food and medical aid for Venezuela but the military has so far refused to let it enter the country.

Guaido, 35, has offered military commanders an amnesty if they abandon Maduro.

On Tuesday he published a series of tweets calling by name on senior military leaders commanding border posts to abandon Maduro.

Trump has refused to rule out US military action in Venezuela. He raised the pressure on Monday, issuing a warning to the Venezuelan military.

He told them that if they continue to support Maduro, "you will find no safe harbor, no easy exit and no way out. You will lose everything."

Padrino rejected Trump's threat, branding the US president "arrogant."

Maduro's government says the aid is a smokescreen for an invasion.

If foreign powers try to help install a new government by force, they will have to do so "over our dead bodies," Padrino said. 
&nbsp;

Venezuela's armed forces said Tuesday they were on "alert" for border violations following threats by US President Donald Trump who urged them to back opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Venezuela's armed forces said Tuesday they were on "alert" for border violations following threats by US President Donald Trump who urged them to back opposition leader Juan Guaido. "The armed forces will remain deployed and on alert along the borders... to avoid any violations of territorial integrity," said Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, reading out a statement in a public appearance alongside top commanders. "We reiterate unrestrictedly our obedience, subordination and loyalty" to President Nicolas Maduro, he added. Maduro faces calls to quit as his country struggles with shortages of food and medicine. The military high command has so far maintained its public backing for Maduro -- seen as key to keeping him in power. Guaido, leader of the Venezuelan legislature, has declared himself acting president and is appealing to military leaders to switch allegiance to him. He is backed by the United States and some 50 other countries. The United States has sent food and medical aid for Venezuela but the military has so far refused to let it enter the country. Guaido, 35, has offered military commanders an amnesty if they abandon Maduro. On Tuesday he published a series of tweets calling by name on senior military leaders commanding border posts to abandon Maduro. Trump has refused to rule out US military action in Venezuela. He raised the pressure on Monday, issuing a warning to the Venezuelan military. He told them that if they continue to support Maduro, "you will find no safe harbor, no easy exit and no way out. You will lose everything." Padrino rejected Trump's threat, branding the US president "arrogant." Maduro's government says the aid is a smokescreen for an invasion. If foreign powers try to help install a new government by force, they will have to do so "over our dead bodies," Padrino said.

Venezuela armed forces on 'alert' for border violations

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sixteen-us-states-sue-trump-over-border-wall-emergency-198197">Sixteen US states sue Trump after he declares emergency to fund border wall</a>

Sixteen US states sued President Donald Trump's administration on Monday over his decision to declare a national emergency to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico, saying the move violated the constitution.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/saudi-crown-prince-salman-to-arrive-in-india-today-198189">Saudi Crown Prince Salman to land in India today</a>

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad-bin Salman will arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday on his maiden visit to the country.

India is likely to raise the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the two countries are expected to sign ties to enhance cooperation in various fields during the "landmark event in high-level bilateral ties".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tells-venezuela-military-to-back-opposition-leader-guaido-or-lose-everything-198182">Trump tells Venezuela military to back opposition leader Guaido or 'lose everything'</a>

US President Donald Trump urged Venezuela's military Monday to accept opposition leader Juan Guaido's amnesty offer, or stand to "lose everything," as a crisis deepened over President Nicolas Maduro's refusal to let in desperately needed humanitarian aid.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-readies-to-launch-worlds-first-private-spacecraft-to-moon-198194">Israel readies to launch </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-readies-to-launch-worlds-first-private-spacecraft-to-moon-198194">world's</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-readies-to-launch-worlds-first-private-spacecraft-to-moon-198194"> first private spacecraft to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-readies-to-launch-worlds-first-private-spacecraft-to-moon-198194">moon</a>

Israel was gearing up to launch a spacecraft to the moon that will be the first private initiative of its kind in the world, the non-profit organization responsible for the project announced on Monday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kissing-sailor-in-iconic-new-york-picture-dies-at-95-198199">'Kissing sailor' in iconic New York picture dies at 95</a>

The sailor pictured kissing a woman in Times Square as people celebrated the end of World War II has died at age 95, his daughter told The Providence Journal.

George Mendonsa had a seizure Sunday after falling at an assisted living facility in Middletown, Rhode Island, his daughter Sharon Molleur said.

Sixteen US states sue Trump after he declares emergency to fund border wall Sixteen US states sued President Donald Trump's administration on Monday over his decision to declare a national emergency to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico, saying the move violated the constitution.

Sixteen US states sue Trump after he declares emergency to fund border wall Sixteen US states sued President Donald Trump's administration on Monday over his decision to declare a national emergency to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico, saying the move violated the constitution. Saudi Crown Prince Salman to land in India today Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad-bin Salman will arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday on his maiden visit to the country. India is likely to raise the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the two countries are expected to sign ties to enhance cooperation in various fields during the "landmark event in high-level bilateral ties". Trump tells Venezuela military to back opposition leader Guaido or 'lose everything' US President Donald Trump urged Venezuela's military Monday to accept opposition leader Juan Guaido's amnesty offer, or stand to "lose everything," as a crisis deepened over President Nicolas Maduro's refusal to let in desperately needed humanitarian aid. Israel readies to launch world's first private spacecraft to moon Israel was gearing up to launch a spacecraft to the moon that will be the first private initiative of its kind in the world, the non-profit organization responsible for the project announced on Monday. 'Kissing sailor' in iconic New York picture dies at 95 The sailor pictured kissing a woman in Times Square as people celebrated the end of World War II has died at age 95, his daughter told The Providence Journal. George Mendonsa had a seizure Sunday after falling at an assisted living facility in Middletown, Rhode Island, his daughter Sharon Molleur said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Tens of thousands of opposition activists flooded the streets of Venezuela on Tuesday to demand the military allow in desperately-needed aid, as President Nicolas Maduro's supporters rallied against "imperialist intervention."

Opposition leader Juan Guaido called the Youth Day demonstrations to honour 40 people killed in anti-government rallies and press for the food and medicine to be brought into the economically-ravaged South American country.

While waiting for the National Assembly leader to speak in east Caracas, his supporters chanted: "Freedom!"

"We're asking the military authorities to let in the aid and to protect it so that it reaches those most in need," Juan Perez, 68, told AFP.

Guaido, who stunned the world on January 23 when he declared himself acting president, said the protest would "demand the entry of humanitarian aid that will save the lives of more than 300,000 Venezuelans." &nbsp;

Taking his authority from the constitution, Guaido says Maduro's presidency is "illegitimate" as it was founded on flawed elections.

He is trying to force the socialist leader from power so he can set up a transitional government and hold new presidential elections.

Maduro meanwhile called a march of young leftists in the centre of Caracas denouncing foreign intervention in Venezuela's affairs and collecting signatures of people who reject US President Donald Trump.

The fate of tons of aid piling up in Colombian collection centres at the border with Venezuela has become central to the power struggle between Guaido and Maduro, who is backed by the powerful armed forces.

Venezuela is in the grip of recession and hyperinflation while millions of people are suffering from a shortage of basic necessities. The UN says some 2.3 million people have fled since 2015.

Military exercises

But the military has barricaded a border bridge linking the countries, with Maduro describing the aid as a "political show" and a pretext to a US intervention.

Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as interim president, has offered amnesty to military personnel who dump Maduro and told them that refusing to allow in aid was a "crime against humanity."

He says almost 100,000 Venezuelans have signed up as volunteers to help bring in aid and distribute it to those most in need.

"The military are the ones keeping Maduro in power. I call on them to reflect and take the side of the people suffering from hunger," said protester Maria Ballera, 75.

The Venezuelan government distributed food and medicine on Monday.

Guaido's envoys met Brazilian officials in Brasilia on Monday and announced plans to establish a second aid storage center in the state of Roraima, on Venezuela's southeastern border, from next week.

But Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said the armed forces were deploying a "reinforced presence all along the border."

Although he has wide international support in his bid to oust Maduro, Guaido needs the backing of the armed forces.

He has warned the military that it will be held responsible for any deaths among the protesters on Tuesday.

The US has presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for international aid deliveries and new presidential elections.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday dismissed the move as an attempt to "cover up planned provocations... to destabilize the situation in Venezuela and even gain an excuse for direct military intervention."

Speaking to AFP last week, Guaido refused to rule out asking for foreign intervention.

The Venezuelan military meanwhile announced it had started conducting exercises, set to run until Friday, to "reinforce the country's defensive capacity."

Maduro wants gold

Venezuela is oil dependent and sells more than 40 per cent of its crude, which makes up 96 per cent of its revenue, to the US, while Washington is using sanctions as an attempt to starve Maduro's regime of its funding.

"Venezuela is in the eye of a global geopolitical hurricane," said Maduro, who claims Trump is trying to force him out in order to take control of Venezuela's oil reserves, the largest in the world.

In an interview with the BBC aired on Tuesday, he called for Britain to return "more than 80 tons of gold" reserves deposited in London.

"Send a convoy with the 80 tons of gold. Let it come, the convoy of money, it's our money. With that we could solve our country's problems," he said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed his offer on Monday to help broker talks to end the political stalemate.

Guaido has rejected negotiations with Maduro, believing he would use them to buy time.

The European Union and a group of European and Latin American ministers have called for new presidential elections, but Maduro rejected both.

Tens of thousands of opposition activists flooded the streets of Venezuela on Tuesday to demand the military allow in desperately-needed aid, as President Nicolas Maduro's supporters rallied against "imperialist intervention.

Tens of thousands of opposition activists flooded the streets of Venezuela on Tuesday to demand the military allow in desperately-needed aid, as President Nicolas Maduro's supporters rallied against "imperialist intervention." Opposition leader Juan Guaido called the Youth Day demonstrations to honour 40 people killed in anti-government rallies and press for the food and medicine to be brought into the economically-ravaged South American country. While waiting for the National Assembly leader to speak in east Caracas, his supporters chanted: "Freedom!" "We're asking the military authorities to let in the aid and to protect it so that it reaches those most in need," Juan Perez, 68, told AFP. Guaido, who stunned the world on January 23 when he declared himself acting president, said the protest would "demand the entry of humanitarian aid that will save the lives of more than 300,000 Venezuelans." Taking his authority from the constitution, Guaido says Maduro's presidency is "illegitimate" as it was founded on flawed elections. He is trying to force the socialist leader from power so he can set up a transitional government and hold new presidential elections. Maduro meanwhile called a march of young leftists in the centre of Caracas denouncing foreign intervention in Venezuela's affairs and collecting signatures of people who reject US President Donald Trump. The fate of tons of aid piling up in Colombian collection centres at the border with Venezuela has become central to the power struggle between Guaido and Maduro, who is backed by the powerful armed forces. Venezuela is in the grip of recession and hyperinflation while millions of people are suffering from a shortage of basic necessities. The UN says some 2.3 million people have fled since 2015. Military exercises But the military has barricaded a border bridge linking the countries, with Maduro describing the aid as a "political show" and a pretext to a US intervention. Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as interim president, has offered amnesty to military personnel who dump Maduro and told them that refusing to allow in aid was a "crime against humanity." He says almost 100,000 Venezuelans have signed up as volunteers to help bring in aid and distribute it to those most in need. "The military are the ones keeping Maduro in power. I call on them to reflect and take the side of the people suffering from hunger," said protester Maria Ballera, 75. The Venezuelan government distributed food and medicine on Monday. Guaido's envoys met Brazilian officials in Brasilia on Monday and announced plans to establish a second aid storage center in the state of Roraima, on Venezuela's southeastern border, from next week. But Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said the armed forces were deploying a "reinforced presence all along the border." Although he has wide international support in his bid to oust Maduro, Guaido needs the backing of the armed forces. He has warned the military that it will be held responsible for any deaths among the protesters on Tuesday. The US has presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for international aid deliveries and new presidential elections. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday dismissed the move as an attempt to "cover up planned provocations... to destabilize the situation in Venezuela and even gain an excuse for direct military intervention." Speaking to AFP last week, Guaido refused to rule out asking for foreign intervention. The Venezuelan military meanwhile announced it had started conducting exercises, set to run until Friday, to "reinforce the country's defensive capacity." Maduro wants gold Venezuela is oil dependent and sells more than 40 per cent of its crude, which makes up 96 per cent of its revenue, to the US, while Washington is using sanctions as an attempt to starve Maduro's regime of its funding. "Venezuela is in the eye of a global geopolitical hurricane," said Maduro, who claims Trump is trying to force him out in order to take control of Venezuela's oil reserves, the largest in the world. In an interview with the BBC aired on Tuesday, he called for Britain to return "more than 80 tons of gold" reserves deposited in London. "Send a convoy with the 80 tons of gold. Let it come, the convoy of money, it's our money. With that we could solve our country's problems," he said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed his offer on Monday to help broker talks to end the political stalemate. Guaido has rejected negotiations with Maduro, believing he would use them to buy time. The European Union and a group of European and Latin American ministers have called for new presidential elections, but Maduro rejected both.

Venezuela opposition takes to streets over blocked aid

The week that was, in pictures

After reports said <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-says-he-is-ready-for-talks-with-the-opposition-russias-ria-193833">Venezuela president Maduro </a>was ready to negotiate' with opposition and call for elections, President Trump in a tweet said Guaido was being targeted by the Venezuelan Supreme Court.

Juan Guaido who has declared himself as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-supreme-court-hits-juan-guaido-with-travel-ban-freezes-his-bank-accounts-193781">interim</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-supreme-court-hits-juan-guaido-with-travel-ban-freezes-his-bank-accounts-193781"> president said the regime </a>only thought about repression and persecution, adding it was nothing new. Venezuela's Attorney General&nbsp;Tarek Saab had asked the Supreme Court to open a preliminary investigation against Guaido and freeze his assets and impose a travel ban on him.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Maduro willing to negotiate with opposition in Venezuela following U.S. sanctions and the cutting off of oil revenues. Guaido is being targeted by Venezuelan Supreme Court. Massive protest expected today. Americans should not travel to Venezuela until further notice.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1090566017238093824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The United States, several Latin American countries and Canada have recognized Guaido as interim president. Trump cautioned Americans from travelling to the country while informing that massive protests are expected today

"Maduro willing to negotiate with opposition in Venezuela following US sanctions and the cutting off of oil revenues. Guaido is being targeted by Venezuelan Supreme Court. Massive protest expected today. Americans should not travel to Venezuela until further notice," the US president said.

Maduro claimed that President Trump had ordered the government of Colombia to assassinate him. "If something happens to me one day then Donald Trump and Colombian President Ivan Duque will be responsible for everything that is happening to me," he told a local television channel.

Russia and China have backed Muduro's regime with Kremlin denouncing the opposition's "usurpation of power".

Maduro on Monday had accused&nbsp;the United States of trying to steal US refining arm Citgo Petroleum after the Trump administration annouced &nbsp;sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA. 
&nbsp;

After reports said Venezuela president Maduro was ready to negotiate' with opposition and call for elections, President Trump in a tweet said Guaido was being targeted by the Venezuelan Supreme Court.

After reports said Venezuela president Maduro was ready to negotiate' with opposition and call for elections, President Trump in a tweet said Guaido was being targeted by the Venezuelan Supreme Court. Juan Guaido who has declared himself as interim president said the regime only thought about repression and persecution, adding it was nothing new. Venezuela's Attorney General Tarek Saab had asked the Supreme Court to open a preliminary investigation against Guaido and freeze his assets and impose a travel ban on him. Maduro willing to negotiate with opposition in Venezuela following U.S. sanctions and the cutting off of oil revenues. Guaido is being targeted by Venezuelan Supreme Court. Massive protest expected today. Americans should not travel to Venezuela until further notice. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2019 × The United States, several Latin American countries and Canada have recognized Guaido as interim president. Trump cautioned Americans from travelling to the country while informing that massive protests are expected today "Maduro willing to negotiate with opposition in Venezuela following US sanctions and the cutting off of oil revenues. Guaido is being targeted by Venezuelan Supreme Court. Massive protest expected today. Americans should not travel to Venezuela until further notice," the US president said. Maduro claimed that President Trump had ordered the government of Colombia to assassinate him. "If something happens to me one day then Donald Trump and Colombian President Ivan Duque will be responsible for everything that is happening to me," he told a local television channel. Russia and China have backed Muduro's regime with Kremlin denouncing the opposition's "usurpation of power". Maduro on Monday had accused the United States of trying to steal US refining arm Citgo Petroleum after the Trump administration annouced sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA.

Guaido being targeted by Venezuela's Supreme Court: Trump

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-calls-for-new-protests-as-pressure-on-maduro-rises-193505">Venezuela is in the grip </a>of a major crisis. It currently has two presidents. President Nicolas Maduro who was elected last year, and opposition leader Juan Guaidó who declared himself as the president. The world stands divided with United States and many European leaders recognising Guaido while Russia and other countries backing Maduro. In an exclusive conversation with our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Venezuela's ambassador to India Augusto Montiel spoke on the current situation in the country.

 
WION:&nbsp;How do you see the situation in your country?

Augusto Montiel: Very clearly its a coup which has been organised and financed by the government of United States. The truth about&nbsp;Venezuela has not been shown.&nbsp;

Millions of people are supporting President Nicolas Maduro, they are supporting the constitution of Venezuela, the institutions, but the international organisations are not showing it.&nbsp;

There is a coup of international proportions led by the government of US. No article of the constitution allows anyone to come up and become a president without the vote of Venezuelans. President Nicolas Maduro was elected in May 2018 and like always the US government did not recognise the elections. It only recognises the elections in which the opposition wins. President Maduro has 6 million votes and that should be respected.

WION: What is the rationale of US interference?

Augusto Montiel: It is obvious, Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world. And like they did with Iraq and 12 years later they came out and said they were misinformed after causing so much destruction. Now they want to control based on lot of lies distributed around the world. They want to control the largest oil reserves. They want to control the gold reserves of Venezuela. And they want to control the Latin American region. Everything is against democracy. Everything against international rule of law.

WION: European countries have given a deadline for election...

Augusto Montiel: Looks like we are going back to the imperial or colonial time&nbsp;when the big empires ruled. What is civilization for? What is the United Nations for? The advancement in civilisation is for dialogue and negotiation. The US government is now pushing, financing and equipping a different scenario - a second reality. This reality is fake news reality. The problems in Venezuela is for Venezuelans to solve. We can't accept any power to come just because they have military power. The economic sanctions have created misery.&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;The&nbsp;US is hinting at a military intervention...

Augusto Montiel: Obviously, its a crime. They can exterminate any country. They have sufficient bombs. Whatever they doing is against the logic of co-existence and human rule of law because of greed for Venezuelan oil. We will defend it. After destroying Libya, Iraq, Syria, what they want is to create a situation of terror in Venezuela. These are imperial desires of the US government.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see India's reaction?

Augusto Montiel: New Delhi has clearly stated problems of Venezuela and the electoral and democratic situation must be solved by Venezuelans and not by anyone coming from outside by a foreign country, by military power exerting and giving instructions and dictating politicians who do not want freedom and independence of Venezuela.

India has stated also, anything that happens there must not include violence, must not include war. Venezuela is a country that likes and bases its international relations on diplomacy of peace. We are there to share our oil on the basis of fair trade, on the basis of cooperation and friendship. We will make sure democracy and international cooperation prevails. This is what multilateralism is about.

We don't want the government of the United States to try to destroy multilateral environment which is keeping the world at balance. We can't lose that balance. Maduro is pushing for rule of law and democracy in every country.

Venezuela is in the grip of a major crisis. It currently has two presidents. President Nicolas Maduro who was elected last year, and opposition leader Juan Guaidó who declared himself as the president.

Venezuela is in the grip of a major crisis. It currently has two presidents. President Nicolas Maduro who was elected last year, and opposition leader Juan Guaidó who declared himself as the president. The world stands divided with United States and many European leaders recognising Guaido while Russia and other countries backing Maduro. In an exclusive conversation with our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Venezuela's ambassador to India Augusto Montiel spoke on the current situation in the country. WION: How do you see the situation in your country? Augusto Montiel: Very clearly its a coup which has been organised and financed by the government of United States. The truth about Venezuela has not been shown. Millions of people are supporting President Nicolas Maduro, they are supporting the constitution of Venezuela, the institutions, but the international organisations are not showing it. There is a coup of international proportions led by the government of US. No article of the constitution allows anyone to come up and become a president without the vote of Venezuelans. President Nicolas Maduro was elected in May 2018 and like always the US government did not recognise the elections. It only recognises the elections in which the opposition wins. President Maduro has 6 million votes and that should be respected. WION: What is the rationale of US interference? Augusto Montiel: It is obvious, Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world. And like they did with Iraq and 12 years later they came out and said they were misinformed after causing so much destruction. Now they want to control based on lot of lies distributed around the world. They want to control the largest oil reserves. They want to control the gold reserves of Venezuela. And they want to control the Latin American region. Everything is against democracy. Everything against international rule of law. WION: European countries have given a deadline for election... Augusto Montiel: Looks like we are going back to the imperial or colonial time when the big empires ruled. What is civilization for? What is the United Nations for? The advancement in civilisation is for dialogue and negotiation. The US government is now pushing, financing and equipping a different scenario - a second reality. This reality is fake news reality. The problems in Venezuela is for Venezuelans to solve. We can't accept any power to come just because they have military power. The economic sanctions have created misery. WION: The US is hinting at a military intervention... Augusto Montiel: Obviously, its a crime. They can exterminate any country. They have sufficient bombs. Whatever they doing is against the logic of co-existence and human rule of law because of greed for Venezuelan oil. We will defend it. After destroying Libya, Iraq, Syria, what they want is to create a situation of terror in Venezuela. These are imperial desires of the US government. WION: How do you see India's reaction? Augusto Montiel: New Delhi has clearly stated problems of Venezuela and the electoral and democratic situation must be solved by Venezuelans and not by anyone coming from outside by a foreign country, by military power exerting and giving instructions and dictating politicians who do not want freedom and independence of Venezuela. India has stated also, anything that happens there must not include violence, must not include war. Venezuela is a country that likes and bases its international relations on diplomacy of peace. We are there to share our oil on the basis of fair trade, on the basis of cooperation and friendship. We will make sure democracy and international cooperation prevails. This is what multilateralism is about. We don't want the government of the United States to try to destroy multilateral environment which is keeping the world at balance. We can't lose that balance. Maduro is pushing for rule of law and democracy in every country.

After Libya, Iraq & Syria, US is coming after us: Venezuela ambassador Augusto Montiel

guaido

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