Accuses United States of fuelling the current phase of protests in the country

Ongoing political disturbances will not impact energy cooperation with India, Venezuela has said. Ambassador Augusto Montiel, representing the government of President Nicolas Maduro, said at a press conference on Thursday that the current phase of protests in his country was being fuelled by the United States.

“So far, the government has succeeded in preventing the protestors from destroying public property and oil establishments, though they have tried to cause damage in different parts of the country,” said Ambassador Montiel. The government of Venezuela, he said, would not allow disturbance of energy flow to India.

Joint front

The envoy pointed out that petroleum flow from Venezuela to India began during the tenure of President Hugo Chavez and the Latin American country had emerged as the fourth largest supplier of petroleum to India. In 2015-16, India imported 23.6 million tonnes of crude from Venezuela, accounting for 12 per cent of India’s total crude imports.

The press conference was attended by the envoys of Ecuador, Cuba, El Salvador, Bolivia and Dominican Republic, who put up a joint front against outside interference in affairs of member-countries of Latin America.

Diplomats’ warning

Protests have been raging in Venezuela for the last one month, since the government of President Maduro started a process of changing the constitution, which is being opposed by some parties. Diplomats strongly urged that the protests should not be considered an opportunity to start another intervention into the affairs of the country.

“Venezuela is facing an economic war by the government of the United States, which is trying to present Venezuela as a failed state that deserves external intervention,” said the envoy. He urged the world to uphold the principle of national sovereignty.

“So long as President Maduro is in charge, there will be no civil war in Venezuela,” said Mr. Montiel, dismissing charges of excessive use of force against the protestors.

The protests that began last month have claimed 30 lives so far. A similar countrywide protest had claimed 43 lives in 2014.