US ‘banditry’ in Venezuela is harbinger of chaos – Moscow

Washington’s actions horrify “even the staunchest Atlanticists,” Russia’s envoy Vassily Nebenzia has said

The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the US threatens to throw the world back into an era of “chaos and injustice,” the Russian ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, has said.

Washington’s attack on the Latin American nation has demonstrated the world order the US wants to build, the diplomat told an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Monday, adding that it “horrifies even the staunchest Atlanticists.”

The US invaded the oil-rich South American country on Saturday, abducting Maduro and his wife, taking them to a US warship from which they were subsequently flown to New York. They appeared in court on charges of drug-trafficking conspiracy on Monday – to which the Venezuelan president declared “I am a decent man!” before entering a not-guilty plea.

Maduro had previously warned that Washington was seeking to get its hands on Venezuela’s natural resources. US President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that Washington seeks to “run” the Latin American nation so that “we can take advantage of the economics of what they have.”

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Nebenzia condemned the US actions as “international banditry.” The US’ open pursuit of “hegemonistic ambitions in Latin America” and its desire to gain “unlimited control over natural resources” only contribute to a resurgence of neo-colonialism and imperialism, he said.

The world must stand united in rejecting Washington’s belligerent foreign policy, Nebenzia said, warning that “the bell is already tolling” for each UN member state and the future of the organization itself.

Ignoring the threat posed by the US to the system of international relations would mean condoning the violation of international law, as well as disregard for “civilized” conduct on the international stage.

Russia – along with other BRICS nations – had already strongly condemned the US actions. Moscow called for Maduro’s immediate release and expressed solidarity with the people of Venezuela.

Reactions from the West have been far more muted. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged “restraint,” calling for adherence to the UN Charter. A follow-up joint statement signed by all EU member states except Hungary neither condemned nor supported the US actions.