UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations Security Council is holding today its first closed-door consultations on the deteriorating situation in Venezuela, a meeting requested by the United States.
According to the Permanent Representation of Washington to the United Nations, this is an informal meeting of the 15-member body, chaired this month by Uruguay.
Venezuela is experiencing a complex scenario of protests for and against President Nicolás Maduro and the constitutional process called by the president as a peace response to the violence triggered by some opposition sectors and international campaigns in favor of the attack to the Bolivarian Revolution.
Venezuela crisis deepens as anti-government protests enter sixth week; death toll rises to 42
In a statement, US ambassador Nikki Haley explained that the call for consultation of the Council responds to the fact that the South American country ‘is on the verge of a humanitarian crisis’.
According to the diplomat, the peaceful protests have been suppressed by the government, killing some, wounded and detained.
Haley pointed out that the White House’s goal is ‘the end of violence and oppression and the restoration of democracy’.
It is expected that after the meeting of the Security Council, the Venezuelan ambassador to the U.N., Rafael Ramírez, will present to the press the position of Caracas on today’s meeting and the situation in the country.
The recent protests began on March 30 after Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice, or TSJ, said it would assume the National Assembly’s duties – a ruling it later reversed. The Venezuelan opposition said the TSJ’s move was akin to a coup d’etat in favor of Maduro’s regime.
More than 40 people have died nationwide during the protests.
“In Venezuela, we are on the verge of humanitarian crisis. Peaceful protesters have been injured, arrested and even killed by their own government,” Haley said in a statement.
“Medicine is unavailable, hospitals lack supplies and it’s become difficult to find food. For the sake of the Venezuelan people, and the security of the region, we must work together to ensure Maduro ends this violence and oppression, and restores democracy to the people.”
Julio Borges, the leader of Venezuela’s opposition-controlled National Assembly legislature, on Wednesday said the issues facing Venezuela are of international importance.
“Venezuela is the most important theme of the Organization of American States, Mercosur and Union of South American Nations. From the United Nations, European Union and the Vatican,” Borges said in a statement.
