Credit: Photo by Gary Raynaldo / Permanent Mission of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the United Nations  E. 46th Street Manhattan, NY

By Gary Raynaldo  DIPLOMATIC TIMES

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is still working on a daily basis with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Venezuelan To The U.N. amid the growing political crisis in Venezuela, according to a spokesperson to Guterres.   Stephane Dujarric, the Gueterres’ spokesperson  told a press briefing Monday that…”the Secretary-General is not in the business of deciding who the head of state of a country (is) and recognizing a government,”  but “we work on an everyday basis through the Permanent Mission of Venezuela, and we continue to do so.”  The Permanent Mission of Venezuela to  the U.N. is located at E.46th Street in Manhattan, a couple blocks from the world body, and remains open. The chaotic political drama in Venezuela continues to unfold fast and furious ever since opposition leader Juan  Guaidó declared himself the country’s interim president amid nationwide protests Wednesday, in a bid to seize power from Maduro.   The U.S. immediately backed  Guaidó’s action that many characterize as a ‘coup’. 

Photo by Gary Raynaldo / Permanent Mission of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the United Nations  E. 46th Street Manhattan.

UN  High Commissioner For Human Rights Condemns Escalating Deadly Violence In Venezuela

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday condemned, and called for effective investigations into, the violence that has led to a number of deaths and injuries during this week’s protests in Venezuela. She urged all sides to conduct immediate talks to defuse the increasingly incendiary atmosphere, according to a statement from the world body’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The OHCHR reported that at least 20 people are reported to have died after allegedly being shot by security forces or members of pro-government armed groups during demonstrations last Tuesday and Wednesday.

 “Any violent incident resulting in death or injury should be subject to an independent and impartial investigation to find out whether there was excessive use of force by the authorities, or if crimes have been committed by members of armed groups, whether pro-government or otherwise,” said Bachelet. “I am extremely concerned that the situation in Venezuela may rapidly spiral out of control with catastrophic consequences.”  

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Accuses U.S. Of Behind Involved In ‘Coup D’état’  Of  Maduro Government 

Credit: U.N.media Photo/Manuel Elias / Jorge Arreaza, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, addresses  U.N. Security Council meeting on the situation in Venezuela Jan. 26, 2019

 Over the weekend, the Security Council held an emergency meeting in New York called by the United States to address the political crisis  in Venezuela.  Jorge Arreaza, Venezuela’s foreign minister,  addressed the Security Council accusing the Trump administration of following a tradition of American interventionism in Latin America.

“The United States is not behind the coup d’état. It is in advance. It’s in the vanguard of the coup d’état. It is dictating orders, not only to the Venezuelan opposition but also to the satellite governments in the region and, it seems, in Europe and the other parts of the world.”

Jorge Arreaza, Venezuela’s foreign minister.