Venezuela wants Maduro back. Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: We appeal for the immediate release of the deposed president

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil called for the immediate release of deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were captured by the US in early January, AFP reported on Monday.

Venezuela demands “the immediate release by the United States government of the constitutional president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores,” Gil said during the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. In his statement, he described the US actions as an illegal military operation against Venezuela.

– Despite these actions, taken in conditions of deep technological and military asymmetry between our country and the United States, which is a nuclear power (…), we decided to open a diplomatic channel to resolve our differences – noted the minister. He added that Venezuela decided to take this step not out of submission or fear, but out of “the belief that dialogue is the only civilized path between nations.”

Gil also emphasized that Venezuela has chosen “the path of peace and sovereignty”, “dialogue without abandoning principles”, “internal reconciliation without forgetting justice” and “international cooperation based on the legal equality of states.” He also referred to the law on amnesty for political prisoners adopted last week. – Today we are working on a process of recognition of past wrongs, forgiveness and reconciliation – he said.

On January 3, U.S. forces carried out strikes against targets in Caracas and other cities in Venezuela. During the operation, American soldiers captured Maduro and his wife and then transported them to the USA. Maduro appeared in court, accused of, among others, for a “narco-terrorist conspiracy”. However, he pleaded not guilty and declared himself a “prisoner of war”. However, Maduro's supporters retained power in Venezuela, and his deputy Delcy Rodriguez took over the duties of president. (PAP)

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