Jump to content
Check your account email address ×

Russia warns U.S. against military intervention in Venezuela


Recommended Posts

"Venezuela is friendly to us and is our strategic partner," Vladimir Putin's deputy foreign minister said. "We have supported them and will support them."

Jan. 24, 2019, 4:45 AM CST

By Reuters

MOSCOW — Russia warned the U.S. on Thursday not to intervene militarily in Venezuela, saying such a move would trigger a catastrophe.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on Wednesday, winning the backing of Washington and prompting socialist incumbent Nicolas Maduro to sever diplomatic relations with the United States. Violence flared during big protests across Venezuela, and at least seven deaths were reported.

In an interview with Russian journal International Affairs published on Thursday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow would stand with Venezuela to protect its sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in its domestic affairs.

 

Image: Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido i Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido declares himself the country's "acting president" during a mass opposition rally on Wednesday.Federico Parra / AFP - Getty Images

Asked about the prospect of U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, Ryabkov said Washington should steer well clear.

"We warn against that," he said. "We consider that would be a catastrophic scenario that would shake the foundations of the development model which we see in Latin America."

President Donald Trump has promised to use the "full weight" of U.S. economic and diplomatic power to push for the restoration of Venezuela's democracy.

The prospect of Maduro being ousted is a geopolitical and economic headache for Moscow which, alongside China, has become a lender of last resort for Caracas, lending it billions of dollars as its economy implodes. Millions of people have fled the country in recent years to escape sky-high inflation and food shortages.

Ryabkov did not mention Maduro by name, but made clear Moscow backed his government.

"Venezuela is friendly to us and is our strategic partner," he said. "We have supported them and will support them."

Russia has also provided military support to Maduro, who has led the oil-rich nation since 2013.

Two Russian strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons landed in Venezuela last month in a show of a support that infuriated Washington.

Maduro visited Moscow in December, seeking Russia's political and financial support.

China also called on the U.S. to stay out of Venezuela's political crisis and said it opposes all outside intervention there. Over the last decade, China has given Venezuela $65 billion in loans, cash and investment. Venezuela owes more than $20 billion.

Iran described the opposition's claim there that it holds the presidency as a "coup" and an attempt to take over power unlawfully.

 

 

 

And a senior official said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had called Maduro to voice his support. Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted early Thursday that the leader of the NATO member told Maduro: "'My brother Maduro! Stay strong, we are by your side.'"

However, while the European Union called for Venezuelan authorities to respect the "civil rights, freedom and safety" of Guaido it stopped short of following Washington and recognizing him as interim president.

Guaido, 35, was a virtually unknown lawmaker at the start of the year.

Tensions began ramping up earlier this month as Maduro took the oath of office for a second six-year term won in an election last May that many in the region contend was not free or fair because his strongest opponents were barred from running.

But Guaido declared Wednesday that the constitution gives him, as president of the congress, the authority to take over as interim president and form a transitional government.

Associated Press contributed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Let them finish up their own country all by themselves.  They can rebuild from there...if they want.  I don’t want one US penny or one US troop being utilized.  We should let the UN help them.  :lol:

Meh...we can’t help ourselves.  ALL IN!!!  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, Skidooski said:

You all day every day  :thumb: 

2137797407_kJzu2fuxS7i2Bq7L7XZl_StairsCoolLanding.gif.72586b603f5aaeb44812c1fbfa86635c.gif

I don’t know. Seems more like Trump supporters are stumbling more.  But give that guy credit. Nice recovery. He must be a liberal. A Trump supporter would have layed there crying and blamed a Democrat. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, revkevsdi said:

I don’t know. Seems more like Trump supporters are stumbling more.  But give that guy credit. Nice recovery. He must be a liberal. A Trump supporter would have layed there crying and blamed a Democrat. 

Like this liberal whatever gender it is you mean...

 

maxresdefault-2.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, revkevsdi said:

Hey, timeshare Dave. You still driving around in pimped out golf carts near the border?  

Yup....talked to few border patrol down there yesterday actually.

Another good ride.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Platinum Contributing Member
3 minutes ago, revkevsdi said:

Hey, timeshare Dave. You still driving around in pimped out golf carts near the border?  

Yeah Timeshare barbie hands super kayaker beta Dave  :lol: 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, Skidooski said:

Yeah Timeshare barbie hands super kayaker beta Dave  :lol: 

Hey Dumbski. How’s the Trump love working out for you?  He sure runs the Country like he runs his businesses.  

Mostly shutdown. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Platinum Contributing Member
3 minutes ago, revkevsdi said:

Hey Dumbski. How’s the Trump love working out for you?  He sure runs the Country like he runs his businesses.  

Mostly shutdown. 

I never loved him to begin with so tell me, how's your utter stupidity treating you?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Platinum Contributing Member
4 minutes ago, Skidooski said:

I never loved him to begin with so tell me, how's your utter stupidity treating you?

No shit...this douchebag almost makes Slinger look rational and smart....almost.

  • Haha 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Skidooski said:

I never loved him to begin with so tell me, how's your utter stupidity treating you?

All you’ve done is defend his every move. But who knows maybe Trump’s latest stupidity will prove to much for you. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Platinum Contributing Member
10 minutes ago, revkevsdi said:

All you’ve done is defend his every move. But who knows maybe Trump’s latest stupidity will prove to much for you. 

OMFG  :lol: You have ZERO credibility

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Platinum Contributing Member
2 minutes ago, DAVE said:

Slinger and Barbiehands need to have a meeting regarding you asap!!!!

:lol:

Unreal.... Either blind or just flat out dumb as shit. They can spend years mislabeling me and it still won't make it true.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Platinum Contributing Member
7 minutes ago, revkevsdi said:

Zero credibility? From a Trumpster that’s a compliment 

You're a 10 year old trapped in a body of a mid 50's year old man (used loosely) aren't you? 

Edited by Skidooski
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Platinum Contributing Member
2 hours ago, Skidooski said:

I never loved him to begin with so tell me, how's your utter stupidity treating you?

:lmao: Liar :lol: 

 

Nice try at :backpeddle:  @revkevsdi you :owned: his ass and now the spineless wonder is :backpeddle:

 

:lmao: 

Edited by SnowRider
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Trying to pay the bills, lol

×
×
  • Create New...