“THE GREATEST EXTORTION”
“The acts by the US side run counter to all key norms of international law,” said Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, calling the US blockade an “act of aggression”.
“The responsibility of Washington is also evident for the constant catastrophic consequences of such cowboy-like conduct,” he told the council.
“China opposes all acts of unilateralism and bullying and supports all countries in defending their sovereignty and national dignity,” said the Chinese representative, Sun Lei.
Venezuelan ambassador Samuel Moncada told the council: “We are in the presence of a power that acts outside of international law, demanding that Venezuelans vacate our country and hand it over.”
“This is the greatest extortion known in our history,” he added.
Waltz reiterated Trump’s accusations against the Venezuelan leader, saying: “Nicolas Maduro is a fugitive wanted by American justice and the head of the foreign terrorist organisation the ‘Cartel de los Soles.'”
Experts say there is no evidence of the existence of an organised group with a defined hierarchy that goes by that name.
The US government has offered a US$50 million reward for any information leading to the arrest of Maduro, a staunch ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Since September, US forces have launched dozens of air strikes on boats that Washington alleges, without showing evidence, were transporting drugs. More than 100 people have been killed.
Source: CNA
