NOVANEWS
Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño said both Venezuela and the United States have shown “interest” in resolving the conflict.
Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño said both Venezuela and the United States have shown “interest” in resolving the conflict.
Ecuador announced Wednesday that it could act as an intermediary to resolve a diplomatic crisis between Venezuela and the United States.
Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño explained that he hoped both countries could “reduce tensions” through mediated dialogue.
“Despite public differences, I think both countries are interested in dialogue. Maybe they need a little support, the help of brotherly countries; and if we can do that, we’re delighted,” he said.
The option of international mediation was first floated by the Venezuelan government earlier this week. Foreign ministers that form part of the Boliviarian Alliance for the People of Our America (ALBA) will also participate in the mediating commission.
Diplomatic relations between Caracas and Washington have ebbed to their lowest level in years after the United States imposed new sanctions on Venezuela in late 2014.
Earlier this month, President Barack Obama declared Venezuela a “threat” to national security and imposed yet another round of sanctions under a controversial executive order. The U.S. measures have been condemned by most of Latin America, including Ecuador.
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa described Obama’s executive order as “embarrassing.”
“How can the United States possibly claim that Venezuela is a threat to their national security?” President Correa asked during his weekly address to the nation on Saturday.
“It’s the same story as always … what the United States is trying to do is destabilize the progressive governments in the region,” Correa stated.
