By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS- UN chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday has called for restraint and the immediate de-escalation of the situation in the Caribbean, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in New York
UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters at a daily briefing on Wednesday that Guterres is following the current situation very closely and is engaging with relevant parties in response to questions over the latest US moves against Venezuela.
Mr. Guterres called on all stakeholders to honour their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter and any other applicable legal framework, to safeguard peace in the region, said Haq.
He said that Guterres believes that any difference must be resolved by peaceful means, reports Xinhua news agency.
If Venezuela brings the issue to the UN much of that will probably be an issue to consider for the members of the Security Council, Haq said.
Haq added that, at this stage, it is critical to continue diplomatic engagement and pursue a peaceful way forward through dialogue.
US President Donald Trump said he ordered a total blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers travelling to and from Venezuela, escalated a months-long pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuela denounced the US move, called it a violation of international law and vowing to raise the issue before the United Nations.
Maduro and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, spoke by phone about global geopolitics and the military deployment in the Caribbean.
Turkish president “expressed deep concern over the threats recently facing Venezuela, particularly the military deployment and various actions intended to disrupt peace and security in the Caribbean,” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said in a statement.
Both leaders exchanged views on global geopolitics and the latest international developments affecting stability and the future of humanity, said the statement.
Maduro said the manoeuvres in the Caribbean constitute an “illegal, disproportionate, unnecessary and even extravagant” act of aggression, adding that Venezuela will continue working for peace.
