Venezuela’s Maduro slams West for trying to ‘dismember’ Russia

Caracas, Apr 8 (EFE).- President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela Friday slammed the economic, political, and diplomatic alliance of the West for a war to dismember Russia, refusing to join the global chorus of condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine and alleged killings of civilians there.

“They are lining up, economically, politically, and diplomatically in the West for a big war against Russia. From Venezuela, we denounce it,” Maduro said in a televised address from the state of La Guaira.

“They want a war to dismember Russia, destroy it in pieces and end the hope of a multi-polar world where we can all live.”

Russia is a key ally of Maduro’s leftist government of the oil-rich nation, itself battling Western sanctions that have triggered a severe economic crisis.

Maduro said the world was witnessing a “media dictatorship” by the West to “justify an escalation that could lead to a disastrous war, a third world war.”

The president said the West-dominated media was propagating “obscene lies and a campaign against humanity.”

Venezuela has repeatedly reiterated its support and solidarity for the Russian government led by President Vladimir Putin.

However, the Maduro government has urged the conflict between Russia and Europe be resolved through dialog and peace.

The Venezuelan government Thursday refused to accept the decision by the United Nations to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council due to the alleged abuses committed during its invasion of Ukraine.

“As a founding member of the United Nations Organization, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reiterates its commitment to the principles and mandate of its Founding Charter, and rejects the decision to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council,” Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia tweeted.

The UN General Assembly approved the United States-sponsored proposal with 93 votes in favor, 24 against, and 58 abstentions.

US President Joe Biden said it was “a meaningful step by the international community further demonstrating how Vladimir Putin’s war has made Russia an international pariah.”

Russia is the first permanent member of the United Nations Security Council whose membership has ever been revoked from any organ of the world body.

However, it became the second country suspended from the human rights council since its formation in 2006 to promote and protect rights around the world.

Until now, the only precedent was the exclusion of Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya in response to the repression of the 2011 protests.

The decision to suspend Russia came after alleged “serious and systematic violations of human rights” and the brutal killing of civilians while retreating from towns near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

Since it invaded Ukraine on Feb.24, the West has imposed a barrage of sanctions to isolate Russia.

Ahead of the vote on Thursday, Russia warned the UNGA member-states that an abstention would be seen as an unfriendly gesture and hurt bilateral ties. EFE

sc/ssk