Oman urges dialogue, de-escalation in Venezuela after US strikes

By Hussien Elkabany and Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - Oman called for de-escalation and dialogue in Venezuela on Sunday following US strikes on the capital Caracas, and the detention of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

A Foreign Ministry statement said Muscat “reaffirms the core principles of its foreign policy,” including support for international law and respect for states’ sovereignty and independence.

It urged all parties to “exercise restraint and enable avenues for dialogue to prevent escalation,” in a way that serves security, stability, the protection of civilians, and the choices of the Venezuelan people.

Muscat also renewed its full support for the UN and its efforts to maintain international peace and security.

Following the US strikes in Caracas and the detention of Maduro and his wife on Saturday, US President Donald Trump said “we're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”

Trump also said “very large” US oil companies would be spending “billions of dollars” to fix Venezuela's “badly broken” oil infrastructure and “start making money for the country.”