Russia and Belarus Reach Out to Maduro as U.S. Pressure Intensifies

CNN

Venezuelan President, Maduro.

Efforts by key international players to support Venezuela’s embattled president, Nicolás Maduro, have come into sharper focus amid escalating pressure from the United States.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone with Venezuela’s President Maduro, reaffirming Moscow’s support for the Venezuelan government in the face of mounting external pressure. The Kremlin said Putin expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and underlined Russia’s backing for policies aimed at protecting national interests and sovereignty. 

At the same time, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with Venezuela’s ambassador to Moscow for the second time in 17 days, in a sign of coordinated diplomatic engagement as speculation grows over Maduro’s future. 

These diplomatic contacts come against the backdrop of increased pressure from the United States, where the U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly called for Maduro’s removal and taken a series of measures targeting Venezuela’s government and economy. 

Sources: Reuters and AP


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