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Iran backs Venezuela’s President Maduro and rejects US interference

January 25, 2019 at 10:12 am

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) meets the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei during his visit in Tehran, Iran on 22 October 2016 [Supreme Leader Press Office/Anadolu Agency]

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that the Islamic Republic backs Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro after the United States announced its support for Juan Guaido, the leader of the country’s opposition-held National Assembly, as the country’s interim president.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran,” explained Bahram Qasimi to local media, “supports the government and people of Venezuela against any sort of foreign intervention and any illegitimate and illegal action such as attempts to foster a coup d’etat.”

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called on Maduro to hand over to Guaido, who is also supported by the European Union, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Paraguay. Maduro has the backing of Russia, Iran, Turkey, Uruguay, Cuba, Syria and Palestine.

In response to Pompeo’s demand, Maduro severed diplomatic ties on Wednesday with the United States and gave American diplomats 72 hours to leave the country. However, the Secretary of State insisted that the US will not withdraw its diplomats from Venezuela.

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