Moscow: United States secretary of state Mike Pompeo and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov are expected to meet and hold discussions over Venezuela crisis, amid mounting civil and political unrest in Venezuela, state-run media on Thursday reported.
According to ANI news reports, US-Russia meeting, scheduled on May 6, is expected to take place in Rovaniemi, the northern city of Finland, on the sidelines of the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting scheduled on May 6-7.
This development holds importance as the US and Russia have taken their opposed stands in Venezuelan political crisis that escalated after Venezuelan opposition Juan Guaido called for a military uprising on Tuesday against embattled President Nicolas Maduro.
Pompeo and Lavrov held a telephonic conversation on Tuesday, during which Lavrov said Washington’s involvement in Venezuelan internal affairs was considered to be a destructive approach filled with “the most serious consequences”, Sputnik reported.
Lavrov has denounced Washington’s support for the Venezuelan opposition in their attempt to seize power as an intervention in the country’s internal affairs.
On Tuesday, Guaido, who had proclaimed himself as the interim president, reportedly called on the Venezuelan people and military to take to the streets to overthrow Maduro, which was later frustrated by security forces.
Trump has on Tuesday threatened Cuba of a full and complete embargo, along with “highest-level sanctions” if Cuba continued its military operation to support Maduro.
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- Russia FM Sergei Lavrov slams US for attempting ‘coup’ in Venezuelan internal affairs
- US President Trump threatens Cuba of highest-level sanction, full embargo amid Venezuela crisis
- Venezuela faces fresh mass protests after opposition Juan Guaido’s call