Events in Venezuela Resemble Onset of Syrian Crisis - Assad to Venezuelan FM

"The policies of some Western countries, led by the United States, in relation to what is happening in Venezuela, their brazen interference in its internal affairs, as well as the sanctions and embargo imposed on the country, have become the standard method to put pressure on countries that disagree with their agenda", the Syrian President said in a statement.

"What is happening in Venezuela is similar to the events in Syria; their [US and their allies] purpose is hegemony over countries and appropriation of their sovereignty in violation of international law and the principles of the UN Charter", he stressed.

Deputy FM: Gov't Ready to Protect Venezuela Against Internal, Foreign Aggression

4 April 2019, 09:38 GMT

In 2011, Washington also supported "the Arab Spring" rebels that attempted to overthrow Assad in Syria, claiming that the government was illegitimate. According to numerous reports, the Pentagon established several programmes to help the rebel groups in Syria and later sent troops to the Middle Eastern country without permission from the UN or Damascus.

A political crisis erupted in Venezuela in January after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself Interim president of the country and was immediately recognised by the US and many of its allies. Washington has since imposed sanctions on Caracas and seized Venezuelan state property, claiming that the government of Nicolas Maduro is illegitimate.