(5 Feb 2020) Venezuela's Foreign Minister read a statement Wednesday denouncing "interfering expressions and the gross interventions in its internal affairs by Donald Trump."
Arreaza read the prepared statement to members of the press one day after opposition leader Juan Guaidó was a surprise guest at President Donald's Trump State of the Union address.
"Mr. President, please take this message back to your homeland," Trump said to Guaidó during the speech. "All Americans are united with the Venezuelan people in their righteous struggle for freedom."
"In an agonizing effort to reignite the failed strategy of government change by force," read Arreaza in response to the Trump statement. "Trump offends and disrespects the people of Venezuela by proffering violent threats against its integrity and against the constitutional government, legitimate and democratic of President Nicolas Maduro Moros."
The U.S. and nearly 60 other governments say Maduro's 2018 election was illegitimate and that Guaidó, as leader of the country's National Assembly, should be named interim president under the Venezuelan constitution.
Maduro, however, remains in control, having faced down a failed military uprising, a brief renewal of mass anti-government protests, and sanctions and other efforts by the U.S. to force him to leave office.
Guaidó is getting a long-sought meeting with President Donald Trump Wednesday and another show of U.S. support for the Venezuelan people.
Guaidó was a guest Tuesday night at Trump's State of the Union address. Lawmakers applauded as Trump introduced Guaidó as Venezuela's "true and legitimate" leader and called President Nicolas Maduro a "tyrant."
In Caracas residents going about their business agreed with Arreaza voicing their distaste for Trump's remarks Tuesday night and distancing themselves from Guaidó.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
