UN Agrees to Support Venezuela's Montevideo Meeting

The Secretary General of the U.N., Antonio Guterres, Tuesday gave his support to Venezuela, by endorsing a meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay -scheduled for Thursday, which aims to try to promote a peaceful solution to the situation in the South American nation.

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The U.N. had earlier this week offered to mediate the meeting - which will involve eight E.U. member states, and also Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Uruguay, should the Venezuelan government request it.

The spokesman for Guterres, Stéphane Dujarric, said that Guterres "supports the efforts of the international community that will help find a political solution" to the situation in Venezuela.

According to South American publication, El Periodico, Gutteres announced its support for the dialogue, while maintaining its neutral stance regarding the situation in the Latin American nation, which was brought about when the United States recognized Juan Guaido, as Venezuela’s 'self-appointed' interim president.  

Guaido is an opposition lawmaker who declared himself as the 'interim president' of Venezuela on Jan. 23 in violation of the country’s constitution.

@UN_Spokesperson Asked about the upcoming meetings in Montevideo, @UN_Spokesperson said the Secretary-General supports efforts by the international community that will assist in finding a political solution to the crisis in Venezuela.

Speaking to the Voice of America, Guterres said, "Venezeula must decide the solution, elections are always a possibility." 

He continued, "Our position in the present moment has been to tell the two parties; we are here, we are available to offer our good offices, at your request, so we do not impose ourselves (...) to find a political solution through the negotations that are necssary for that solution to be possible."

When the publication asked Guterres about the possibility of a military intervention, his stance was clear; "I hope that does not happen," he said. "The time for an era of foreign intervention passed long ago."

Guterres was encouraged by last Saturday's peaceful protest, saying "Our strong call is to avoid all forms of violence, that, of course, have no purpose and do not benefit anyone."