LatAm Countries Condemn Trump's Military Threat against Venezuela


TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Latin American countries strongly condemned the US threat of military intervention against Venezuela.

Despite criticizing what it views as a breakdown of democracy in Venezuela, Peru said it rejected any kind of threats or use of force unauthorized by the United Nations and called for dialogues among related parties.

"All foreign or domestic threats to resort to force undermine the goal of reinstating democratic governance in Venezuela, as well as the principles enshrined in the UN charter," Peru's Foreign Minister Ricardo Luna said in a statement on Saturday.

Negotiation is the only way to restore stability in Venezuela, it said.

US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened that he would not rule out a "military option" in Venezuela, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We have many options for Venezuela, including a possible military option, if necessary," Trump told reporters at his golf club retreat in New Jersey, northeast of the United States.

His remarks came amid escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas over Venezuela's new-elected legislative body National Constituent Assembly, which has supreme power over all government branches.

It was strongly opposed by Venezuela's right-wing opposition, who claimed that the 545-member assembly would only to strengthen the power of the ruling party.

The struggle between the two sides intensified the country's months-long political crisis, which led to violent confrontations and left more than 100 people dead.

Colombia and Mexico also joined in Peru with statements of their own.

"Despite the current difficulties of reaching a peaceful and negotiated solution, we still believe that is the right path to find long-term solutions for the people of Venezuela," the Colombian government said.

Sharing the similar view, Mexico said the crisis could not be resolved through military actions.

Mexico would continue "all possible diplomatic efforts" to help the South American country end the crisis through a peaceful way, the Foreign Ministry said.

Bolivian President Evo Morales on Saturday slammed the United States "armed interventionist" on his Twitter account.

"We condemn the armed interventionist eagerness by the US against Venezuela, a country which seeks peace in dialogue," he tweeted.