Putin Calls on Venezuelan Government, Opposition to Observe Rule of Law – LAHT

Fuente Web

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, urged on Thursday government forces in Venezuela and its opposition factions to play by the rule of law and avoid radicalization.

Putin touched on the political crisis in the South American nation during a round-table question and answer session with representatives of the world’s 10 largest news agencies.

Putin said Venezuela “is a country experiencing an intense political struggle. We want both the opposition and the government to respect the rules of the game, abide by the constitution and avoid the emergence of radicalism.”

Thus Putin reiterated remarks he made in Moscow on Wednesday when he said a constructive dialogue was the only way to thwart a possible civil war in Venezuela.

Venezuela has fallen to violent daily protest as President Nicolas Maduro holds on to power faced with thousands of demonstrators calling for him to step down.

Putin moved the topic towards the United States’ relations with Cuba, expressing his support for the process of normalization put in motion by the administration of former US President Barack Obama.

“It was a good decision by Obama, that we salute and approve,” Putin said.

“It shows that the policy of sanctions doesn’t work for anybody. In Cuba’s case, they only worked to punish the Cubans,” he added.