- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Mogherini, Pompeo Discuss Efforts to Ensure 'Democratic Transition' in Venezuela

© AFP 2023 / Andrew HarnikUS Secretary of State Mike Pompeo(L) and EU Commission Vice President Federica Mogherini
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo(L) and EU Commission Vice President Federica Mogherini - Sputnik International
Subscribe
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Tuesday the sides discussed efforts to ensure a "democratic transition" in Venezuela, the EU External Action Service said.

"They discussed the recent political developments in Venezuela and work towards a peaceful, democratic transition. They agreed to keep in touch in the coming weeks", the statement said.

Last week, Pompeo appointed Elliott Abrams, a close political ally of US National Security Advisor John Bolton as a special envoy for restoring democracy in Venezuela. Media reports have linked the appointment to a US encouragement of an upcoming coup to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The political crisis in Venezuela escalated last week, when opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the country's interim president. The National Assembly declared incumbent President Nicolas Maduro, whose last year’s re-election it considers illegitimate, a usurper.

READ MORE: No Talks on Sending 5,000 Troops to Colombia Amid Venezuela Crisis — Shanahan

The move was immediately welcomed by the United States, which urged Maduro to step down and officially recognized Guaido as the country's leader.

The President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, before starting his speech at the headquarters of the Supreme Court of Venezuela. - Sputnik International
'Hands off Venezuela, Immediately!' WATCH Maduro Address Trump in English
Maduro, in turn, has insisted that he is the country's constitutional president and accused the opposition leader of being a "US puppet". Maduro also accused Washington, which has long voiced concerns over the legitimacy of his re-election last year, of plotting a coup in Venezuela.

Some certain countries, mostly those in Latin America, have recognized Guaido as the acting Venezuelan president. In turn, Russia, Cuba, China, Turkey and Iran have reaffirmed its support for Maduro as the legitimately elected head of state.

Meanwhile, EU countries as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom have given Maduro an ultimatum, stating that they would recognize Guaido as interim president if snap presidential election were not announced in Venezuela within eight days.

READ MORE: Bank of England Denial to Return Gold to Venezuela 'Warning for Others' — Expert

Caracas, Venezuela - Sputnik International
World
Guaido Says Venezuela Needs European Assistance to Rebuild – Reports
Maduro, for his part, has rejected the ultimatum, saying that it ignored Venezuela's rights of a sovereign state.

On Monday, the Trump administration announced new measures to cut off Maduro’s financial resources and redirect them to Guaido, including freezing $7 billion worth of assets of the Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA in the US jurisdictions.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton has warned that the United States will take action if its diplomatic staff or Guaido are threatened with violence.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала