US Navy Admiral Craig S. Faller (Photo: US Southern Command)
By Caribbean News Now contributor
CARACAS, Venezuela – China and Russia have criticised recent moves by the United States in Latin America, where both countries accuse the US of warmongering and meddling in the affairs of sovereign nations.
President Donald Trump’s administration has stepped up efforts to overthrow the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro in favour of Juan Guaidó, the National Assembly head who launched a challenge to Maduro’s authority in January, declaring himself acting president.
US Southern Command chief Navy Admiral Craig Faller told Foreign Policy recently that defence officials “are on the balls of our feet” in anticipation of taking action.
A representative from Russia’s foreign ministry, Maria Zakharova, responded last Thursday to these comments, stating that this reaffirms Russia’s fears that US military action in Venezuela is not an abstraction, but a possible reality that is admitted in Washington.
Referring to recent reports that the US had held high-level meetings considering the use of force against the crisis-stricken socialist-led state, Zakharova told reporters, “Another pseudo-reason for getting ready for a military invasion is the need to contain Russian influence in Venezuela.”
