Iran condemns US interventions in Venezuela’s affairs.
The United States has long maintained a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against Venezuela’s government, particularly under the leadership of Nicolás Maduro. This strategy has been part of a broader effort to pressure the Maduro regime into stepping down, following accusations of corruption, human rights violations, and election fraud. The US, along with many Western nations, has refused to recognize Maduro’s legitimacy, especially after his contested re-election in 2018, which was widely condemned as fraudulent. Instead, they have thrown their support behind opposition leaders, particularly Juan Guaidó, who declared himself interim president in 2019.
The US sanctions on Venezuela have targeted a range of sectors, including the oil industry, which is the country’s primary source of revenue. These sanctions have severely impacted the Venezuelan economy, contributing to hyperinflation, mass unemployment, and widespread shortages of food and medicine. Despite these hardships, the Maduro government has maintained its grip on power, largely due to support from the military and alliances with countries like Russia, China, and Iran.
In response to the ongoing US sanctions, the Iranian government has consistently condemned what it views as US interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela. Iran has repeatedly called the sanctions illegal, arguing that they violate international law and the sovereignty of Venezuela. Tehran has also extended its support to Maduro, providing economic and technical assistance in areas such as oil and energy. Both countries, facing economic isolation from the West, have found common cause in resisting US-imposed sanctions.
The US government argues that its sanctions are a necessary tool to bring about political change in Venezuela, where it claims that Maduro’s authoritarian regime has caused immense suffering for the Venezuelan people. Washington has also accused Maduro of undermining democracy and fostering a repressive state. However, critics argue that the sanctions have only exacerbated the country’s crisis, harming the most vulnerable citizens and failing to achieve their intended political outcome.
The tension between the US and Venezuela, exacerbated by the sanctions, has also sparked debates within international forums about the legitimacy of such measures. Many countries, particularly in Latin America and Europe, have called for dialogue between the Maduro government and the opposition, but US sanctions have remained a significant obstacle to negotiations.
Tehran: Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, condemned the US for its “illegal interventions” in Venezuela’s internal affairs, responding to a recent statement by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken had recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the country’s “president-elect.” Baghaei likened the US intervention to its 2019 actions when it recognized a parallel government in Venezuela, expressing solidarity with President Nicolás Maduro. Iran strongly criticized foreign interference in Venezuela, particularly by the United States, calling it a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, expressed that such actions not only undermine Venezuela’s sovereignty but also destabilize the country. Iran condemned the US for recognizing opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as president-elect, reminiscent of its 2019 recognition of a parallel government in Venezuela. Iran reiterated its support for the legitimately elected president, Nicolás Maduro, and emphasized that foreign intervention disrupts peace and stability in Venezuela.
Maduro had won Venezuela’s presidential election on July 29, securing 51.2% of the vote.