Mike Pence Asks UN To Expel Venezuelan Representative

United Nations: US Vice President Mike Pence has called on the UN to expel the representative of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro while warning that Washington was open to using all options to oust the country’s leader. “This body should revoke the credentials of Venezuela’s representative to the UN, recognize Interim President Juan Guaido, and seat the representative of the free Venezuelan government in this body without delay,” Pence told the Security Council on Wednesday. “With all due respect, Mr. Ambassador, you shouldn’t be here,” Mike Pence told Venezuela’s UN representative, Samuel Moncada”

After accusing Maduro of human rights violations, impoverishing the nation and creating a failed state, Pence said that Washington would use diplomatic and economic means to bring about a peaceful change on government, adding: “All options are on the table.” Mike Pence said that the US would introduce a resolution in the Council to recognize Guaido as the legitimate president of the oil-rich Latin American nation.

However, it was certain to be vetoed by Russia, whose Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia sprang to Maduro’s defence. “If you want to make America great again, then stop interfering” in other countries, he said. In February, Russia and China vetoed a US-sponsored resolution calling for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela and for humanitarian aid to be allowed in. The General Assembly would have to decide on expelling Moncada and replacing him with Guaido’s representative. The US is unlikely to get the required votes to carry it out. (IANS)

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