UN concerned over US sanctions against Venezuela

By Bayram Altug</p> <p>GENEVA (AA) – A UN human rights expert expressed grave concern Thursday after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s state-owned oil company.</p> <p>&quot;I am especially concerned to hear reports that these sanctions are aimed at changing the government of Venezuela,&quot; Special Rapporteur Idriss Jazairy said in a written statement.</p> <p>Jazairy said the sanctions could trigger a health crisis.</p> <p>&quot;Sanctions which can lead to starvation and medical shortages are not the answer to the crisis in Venezuela,&quot; he said.</p> <p>He noted that the crisis in Venezuela won't be solved by sanctions.</p> <p>&quot;Precipitating an economic and humanitarian crisis…is not a foundation for the peaceful settlement of disputes,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Jazairy called for compassion for the Venezuelan people.</p> <p>He also called on the international community to engage in constructive dialogue with Venezuela to resolve the problem.</p> <p>On Monday, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil firm PDVSA and its U.S. subsidiary Citgo to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to step down.</p> <p><br></p> <p>- Venezuela crisis</p> <p>The South American country has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10 when Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition.</p> <p>Tensions rose when opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself acting president on Jan. 23.</p> <p>Among those recognizing Guaido’s claim were the U.S., Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay and the Organization of American States.</p> <p>Bolivia and Mexico continued to recognize Maduro.</p> <p>Russia, China and Iran also support Maduro, as does Turkey.</p> <p>European heavyweights Britain, Germany, France and Spain have called on Maduro to announce fresh elections to ease the crisis.<br> <br>