The Foreign Office on Sunday said that it is actively working to ensure the safety and security of Pakistanis based in Venezuela following the U.S.’ abduction of its president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife.
A day earlier, U.S. forces conducted a military sortie into the South American country, including airstrikes, capturing Maduro and his wife and transferring them to the U.S. to face legal action for “narco-terrorism.”
In its statement, the Foreign Office said Pakistan attached great importance to the well-being of the people of Venezuela and “views with concern the evolving situation” in the country. “We urge the need for restraint and de-escalation to end the crisis, and underscore the necessity for adherence to the principles of the U.N. Charter as well as international law to resolve all outstanding issues,” it added.
Islamabad is closely monitoring the situation, read the statement, adding it was engaged in ensuring the safety and security of the Pakistani community currently present in Venezuela.
Venezuela coup
Following Maduro and his wife’s capture, they have been shifted to a New York jail. In Venezuela, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has taken over as interim leader, emphasizing that Maduro remains president.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has said the U.S. will “run” Venezuela until a political transition can occur, adding U.S.-backed opposition leader Maria Corina Machado did not have “support or respect” in the country. “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” he told a press conference in Florida, adding American oil companies would operate Venezuela’s massive crude reserves.
Separately, speaking with journalists aboard Air Force One, Trump warned the U.S. could launch another military strike on Venezuela if the existing administration did not cooperate with his efforts to “fix” the South American nation. He further hinted at expanding the military action to Colombia and Mexico if they failed to reduce the flow of illicit drugs into the United States.
Appearing to contradict the U.S. president, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration would work with the existing Venezuelan leadership. Maintaining the U.S. action was targeting drug traffickers and did not constitute a “war against Venezuela,” he indicated Washington did not want further upheaval.
The U.N. Security Council plans to meet on Monday (today) to discuss the attack. Russia and China, both major backers of Venezuela, have criticized the U.S.