Iran, China demand Maduro release, Rubio says Trump ‘retains option to run Venezuela

By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – China on Monday stated that it is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela, with its foreign ministry called the US actions “a clear violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations”.

Beijing urged the US to “cease efforts to subvert the Venezuelan government and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation”.

China had earlier also, over the weekend, denounced the US actions in Venezuela.

Iran called the removal of Maduro, along with his wife, from the country a “kidnapping”.

Media quoted foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei as saying: “It’s nothing to be proud of; it’s an illegal act. As the Venezuelan people have emphasised, their president must be released.”

It may be noted that US President Donald Trump, who authorized the action in Venezuela has also threatened Iran, stated he would be forced to intervene if the regime kills people who are protesting peacefully there.

Iran has reported several deaths after the ongoing protests.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that President Trump retains the option to occupy Venezuela.

Rubio told the ‘Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan’ that President Trump “always retains the option on anything and on all of these matters”, when asked if Washington had plans to occupy Venezuela.

“He certainly has the ability and the right under the Constitution of the United States to act against imminent and urgent threats against the country,” Rubio said on the show.

Trump had said that he is “not afraid” to have (American military) “boots on the ground” in Venezuela.

The United States military attacked Venezuela on Saturday and captured its President Nicolas Maduro along with his wife Cilia Flores.