Russia calls US threats against Venezuela ‘unacceptable’

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday called any threats against crisis-hit Venezuela “unacceptable”, following a warning by US President Donald Trump of possible military action.

Speaking after talks with his Bolivian counterpart Fernando Huanacuni Mamani, Lavrov said Venezuela must “overcome differences peacefully, via national dialogue, without any outside pressure, not to mention that threats of military intervention into the internal affairs of this country are unacceptable.”

Trump said last Friday that he was considering a range of scenarios for the oil-exporting South American country, which has been plunged into economic and political crisis, and was “not going to rule out a military option.”

The warning was opposed by the opposition coalition against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as well as by many Latin American allies.

Argentine President Mauricio Macri said Tuesday that using force was “not the way” as he met with US Vice President Mike Pence, who is on a tour of the region.

Nearly 130 people have died in recent months of unrest in Venezuela as Maduro has tightened his grip on power following economic chaos and angry street protests by opponents.