Turkey supports Venezuela's democracy: Turk-Ven. group

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - The head of the Turkish-Venezuelan inter-parliamentary friendship group said Wednesday that Turkey supports Venezuela's democracy.

"We back the continuation of democracy in Venezuela, as we back it everywhere in the world," Serkan Bayram told journalists in parliament.

Bayram said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government should continue for "the country's stability, peace and security.

"We, as the Turkish nation, are always with Mr. Maduro, the Venezuelan nation and democracy," he added.

Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10 when President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition.

Tensions rose when opposition leader Guaido declared himself acting president on Jan. 23 -- a move supported by the U.S. and many European and Latin American countries.

Russia, Turkey, China, Iran, Bolivia and Mexico have put their weight behind Maduro.