THE United States issued a statement, through its local embassy, debunking claims by high-ranking Venezuelan officials that it is supporting the orchestration of a coup d’état by the Opposition in the neighbouring state.
Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz, on Tuesday in an interview, denounced the “destabilising actions” of the Venezuelan Opposition across the country, which is “violating” the people of the nation.She has charged that the “fascist” Opposition is being supported via “interference” by the United States of America (USA), through the US State Department to orchestrate a coup d’état.
Speaking through a translator, Liliana Tejeda, the Ambassador explained that the USA’s support is being offered to Opposition elements through the funding and training of youth organisations, as well as civil society, to “practice acts of violence” and create chaos.
The success of a coup is unlikely, according to the Ambassador, who added that the current administration has the backing of the majority of Venezuelans.
Diaz stated that such acts are aimed at overthrowing the government, which has been democratically elected by the majority of Venezuelans.
On Monday, the three US diplomats were ordered to leave within 48 hours.
Foreign Minister, Elias Jaua, said the expelled diplomats had met student activists at private universities “for training, financing and creating youth organisations through which violence is promoted” in Venezuela.
On the expulsion of the officials, the Embassy noted that, in accordance with Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Article 23 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the United States is considering what actions to take.
The Embassy said, “We have seen many times that the Venezuelan government tries to distract from its own actions by blaming the United States or other members of the international community for events inside Venezuela.
“These efforts reflect a lack of seriousness on the part of the Venezuelan government to deal with the grave situation it faces.”
The US Embassy’s statement stressed too that the allegations against “our diplomats” by the Venezuelan government are baseless and false.
It said, “Our Consular Officers were conducting normal outreach activities at universities on student visas, which is something we do around the world as a way to improve the accessibility and transparency of the visa process.”
According to the Embassy, Venezuela’s political future is for the Venezuelan people to decide.
It said, “We urge Venezuela’s government to work to address its people’s grievances forthrightly through real, meaningful dialogue.
“The United States values its strong historic and cultural ties with the Venezuelan people, and remains committed to our relationship with them.
“With the OAS and our regional partners, we are working to urge calm and encourage a genuine dialogue among all Venezuelans. There is no room for violence by either side.”
Preceding the expulsion of the diplomats, hundreds of students have spent the past week in the streets of Caracas alternating between peaceful protests by day and pitched battles with police at night, in the massive unrests fed by hardships that include rampant crime, 56 per cent inflation and shortages of basic goods.
Three people were killed in clashes Wednesday – two students and a pro-government demonstrator as the clashes ratcheted up in Venezuela.
According to reports from the Venezuelan media, the Opposition firebrand, Leopoldo López, on Tuesday handed himself in to the authorities after coming out of hiding to attend a rally of supporters in Caracas.
The Venezuelan Government issued an arrest warrant for López, who is accused of “terrorism” for his alleged role in violent anti-government demonstrations across the country.
President Maduro has also publicly claimed that López has been conspiring to overthrow the government with the connivance of university students and the backing of the US.
López, a former mayor of one of the capital’s districts, has denied the accusations.
On the issue of foreign relations, other than those with the United States, the Venezuelan Ambassador assured that relations with other countries remain unaffected by the protest actions that have gripped the nation for the last week.
Written By Vanessa Narine