The United Nations has on Sunday expressed deep concerns over the escalation of tension and crisis in Venezuela and also urged “all parties” to avoid violence “at any cost”.
According to ANI news reports, spokesperson for secretary-general Antonio Guterres, in a statement, said, “The secretary-general appeals for violence to be avoided at any cost and for the lethal force not to be used in any circumstances. He appeals for calm and urges all actors to lower tensions and pursue every effort to prevent further escalation.”
The UN statement has come in the wake of violence which took place on Saturday at the Venezuelan border along with Colombia which broke out between Venezuelan security forces and locals. Around five people were reported dead during the clashes between security forces and US humanitarian aid truck. About 285 people were injured during the violence after the national guards fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the locals (protesters), as reported by CNN.
The UN, the global body, has also expressed grief over the loss following Saturday’s violence. The statement further added: “He was shocked and saddened to learn that a number of civilians lost their lives in the context of yesterday’s event.”
The political crisis has emerged into Venezuela after the self-proclaimed interim president of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, the opposition leader, on January 23rd marched against embattled Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro to oust him.