Photo by Gary Raynaldo / United Nations Headquarters New York City.

By Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC TIMES

“The time is now to support the Venezuelan people, to recognize the new democratic government led by interim President Guaido, and end this nightmare. No excuses.”  That was the message Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered before the UN Security Council Saturday morning.   The Security Council held an emergency meeting called by the United States to address the political crisis  in Venezuela. 

Credit: UN Photo/Manuel Elias / UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Venezuela Jan. 26, 2019.

In his remarks before the Security Council, Pompeo stated:

“The United States stands with the Venezuelan people. So far, many other nations have chosen to do the same and they too have recognized the legitimate government of interim President Guaido. The United States stands proudly with you as we stand together in support of Venezuela. You knew the Venezuelan people did not have a moment to spare. Either you stand with the forces of freedom or you’re in league with Maduro and his mayhem.”

Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, Among The Countries That Back Maduro’s Government In Venezuela 

“Some countries have publicly taken former President Maduro’s side,” Pompeo stated.  “China, Russia, Syria, and Iran are just four of them. Just this morning we tried to find a way for this council to speak in one voice in support of the Venezuelan people and the democratic ideals through a presidential statement on this council, but our Russian and Chinese colleagues refused to let this move forward.”

Meanwhile, the  United Nations political chief told the Security Council at the Saturday meeting that the political crisis in Venezuela is a cause for serious concern and is having a grave impact on the population, with high levels of political polarization, growing humanitarian needs and serious human rights concerns.

 “We must do all we can to prevent a worsening of tensions,” Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under Secretary-General of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs told Council members.  “We must try to help bring about a political solution that will allow the country’s citizens to enjoy peace, prosperity and all their human rights.”

Russia UN Envoy Expresses Support For Maduro During Security Council Meeting

Photo credit: UN Photo/Manuel Elias /  Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzia   Jan. 26, 2019  UN Security Council.

Russia’s ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzia contended that Saturday’s Security Council meeting was called with a single purpose — to continue destabilizing the situation in Venezuela through external influence. 

 “This is nothing new. Today, the actions of the United States are a pure reincarnation of the “so-called Monroe Doctrine”, of which Regime change is a favourite geopolitical game of the United States,”  

Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzia      

US And EU Nations Call On Maduro To  Hold Elections Within A Week 

Credit: wikipedia / Nicolás Maduro insists he is the legally elected President of Venezuela 

Spain, Germany, France and the UK have warned Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that he must call elections within eight days – or they will officially recognise the opposition. 

Maduro vows he will not surrender to what he characterized as a coup by opposition leader Guaido backed by the U.S.