Venezuelans prepared to resist US: envoy

By Bayram Altug

GENEVA (AA) - Venezuela’s envoy to the UN told Anadolu Agency that the people of his country were prepared to resist a possible U.S. military intervention.

“We are totally prepared for any military aggression by a foreign country,” said Ambassador Jorge Valero, the permanent representative of Venezuela to the UN.

“We have millions of people prepared for a long resistance […] with any kind of arms,” 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 climbed on Jan. 23 when Juan Guaido declared himself interim president.

The U.S., Canada and most Latin American countries have recognized Guaido, the National Assembly president, as the legitimate leader of Venezuela, but Maduro has so far refused calls to step down.

He has accused the U.S. of orchestrating a coup against his government but said he is open to dialogue with the opposition.

The U.S. has led an international campaign to apply economic and diplomatic pressure on Maduro, including sanctioning on Monday the country's state-owned oil company and a joint venture with its Nicaraguan counterpart.

Russia and China both opposed the U.S. call to support Guaido, and condemned any international interference in the affairs of Venezuela. Turkey and Iran have also put their weight behind Maduro.

Valero accused the U.S. of creating a "Vietnam-like situation", referring to the nearly 20-year U.S. war in Vietnam.

"[U.S. President Donald] Trump is creating, expecting the third world war,” he added.

Washington will mobilize military force to Venezuela in the next few days, the envoy said.

“I am sure Venezuelan people will resist any aggression from a foreign country. We expect all people of the world support to Venezuela,” he added.

On Turkey’s support for Maduro, Valero said: “President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and all Turkish people are supporting the Venezuelan cause.”

“We are very grateful to the president and Turkish people for supporting Venezuela in this historic moment,” he added.