- Title: Venezuelan FM condemns U.S. threat to "peace, stability, independence"
- Date: 12th August 2017
- Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (AUGUST 12, 2017) (REUTERS) VENEZUELAN FOREIGN MINISTER, JORGE ARREAZA, ARRIVING ARREAZA GIVING SPEECH (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN FOREIGN MINISTER, JORGE ARREAZA, SAYING: "The warmongering declarations from President Donald Trump, clearly framed in the systematic aggressions of the U.S. administration against Venezuela, represent a direct threat against peace, stability, independence, territorial unity, sovereignty and the right to self-determination of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.'' ARREAZA SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN FOREIGN MINISTER, JORGE ARREAZA, SAYING: "We also want to express gratitude for all the expressions of solidarity and the rejection of the use of force from governments from around the world, including Latin American governments. Some of these just recently had positions that were absolutely contrary to our sovereignty and independence, but they still have rejected the declarations by the U.S. president.'' VARIOUS OF ARREAZA DURING MEETING
- Embargoed: 26th August 2017 23:13
- Keywords: Maduro military action U.S. threats legislative superbody Mike Pence Latin America Socialists Venezuela Trump crisis-hit nation
- Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
- City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
- Country: Venezuela
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016TUP9VR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza on Saturday (August 12) condemned U.S. threats of military action against the crisis-hit nation, calling it an attack on its "peace, stability and independence."
Arreaza thanked governments around the world, including Latin America, for strongly speaking against the threats, after months of attacking Venezuela's unpopular President Nicolas Maduro.
U.S. President Donald Trump's surprise comments on Friday (August 11) may bring the beleaguered Maduro some respite in the region, just as Venezuela was on verge of becoming a pariah over its recent installation of a legislative superbody, widely condemned as a power grab by the ruling Socialists.
Following Trump's assertion that military intervention in Venezuela was an option, Maduro's critics are caught between backing the idea of a foreign invasion of Venezuela or supporting a president they call a dictator.
The sudden escalation of Washington's response to Venezuela's crisis preceded U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's trip to the region beginning Sunday. He is set to visit Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Panama. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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