Venezuela is a relatively small country in Latin America. Recently, this state, which is home to 31.5 million people, is in a state of political conflict that risks becoming international.
Causes of the conflict
In January 2019, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro entered the second term. The opposition accuses him of establishing a dictatorship and destroying the Venezuelan economy.
On January 23, 2019, Juan Guaido, head of the opposition National Assembly, declared himself interim president. Its legitimacy is 13 countries.
Ten more European countries have not decided who to support in this conflict.
World opinion
As the legitimate president, Maduro is supported by the country's Supreme Court and military. The court ruled that all actions taken by the President of the Guaidó National Assembly were not lawful. Russia, China, Mexico and Turkey, Cuba and Bolivia supported Maduro's policies. It is also backed by the state-owned oil company PDVSA, which accounts for most of Venezuela's exports.
The European Union refused to recognize Guaido as the legitimate president and called for new elections. However, the European Union's attempt to pass a general resolution recognizing Guaido as interim president has failed because Greece and Italy refused to do this. Maduro's government accuses Europeans of following the US administration's strategy to overthrow the government.
Italian politicians have the same opinion. They believe that recognizing Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela would give the green light to US military intervention in state affairs. China's policy is more neutral. This country announced its continued cooperation with Venezuela in any scenario.
The United States has imposed tough sanctions on Venezuela, barring American companies from buying Venezuelan oil. At the same time, poor families in the United States receive free fuel from Venezuela under a program launched by Hugo Chavez.
At the same time, to support Venezuelans suffering from shortages of food and medicine, as well as countries that have received Venezuelan refugees, the Prime Minister of Canada has promised to allocate $ 40 million.
Russia's position
Alexander Ionov, President of the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia, believes that Russian society should adhere to the principles of non-interference in the affairs of a sovereign state. Foreign partners should feel our solidarity and readiness to defend their and allies' interests anywhere in the world where protection is required.
Venezuela has been under the scrutiny of the US intelligence services and the State Department since 2002. Huge money is spent on destabilizing the situation in the republic. Under the guise of helping Venezuela to democratize, the US authorities are imposing sanctions, hindering the political process and constructive establishment of stability within the state.
America cannot accept the fact that Venezuela is one of the leaders of the economic unions UNASUR, MERCOSUR, one of the founders of the unions ALBA and Petrocaribe, supplies and subsidizes Ecuador, Cuba and other countries with oil.
The United States is very interested in the oil basin in Venezuela. The republic is a member of OPEC, a large amount of its oil is extracted and sent for refining as assistance.
Currently, Donald Trump says that the United States is ready for military intervention.
With such a development of events, any military conflict could turn into a big war in the north of the continent. On the one hand, the United States and allies can act in it, on the other - ALBA, Russia, China. The general economic and political situation is now very tense, and they are trying to destabilize it even more.
Russia is a member of the UN Security Council and participates in the Venezuelan economy.$ 17 billion was issued to the country in loans and investments. It is very important to maintain Russia's presence in Venezuela, develop relations and provide the economic and political assistance expected by the Venezuelans. Russia today has all the resources for this. Our allies are also interested in Russia not abandoning its earlier promises and keeping them.
