The French government dismissed accusations of interference from the Venezuelan government, expressed to its ambassador in Caracas after he welcomed opposition leader Juan Guaido at Caracas airport, on Tuesday, February 18 the Venezuelan ambassador.
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" France disputes the accusations brought by the Venezuelan authorities against the French ambassador to Venezuela, expressed during the summons of the ambassador by the Ministry of External Relations yesterday in Caracas, " said the spokesperson. from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
" The presence at Caracas airport of the ambassador on February 11 last, in conjunction with that of other European post chiefs, on the occasion of the return to Venezuela of Mr. Juan Guaido, was for the sole purpose of avoid all violence and promote the political solution supported by France in Venezuela, "she said. She added that this presence was " consistent with the recognition by France of Mr. Guaido as president of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and transitional president in charge of implementing an electoral process ". " This unambiguous position was reminded to the Venezuelan ambassador to France when he was summoned to the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, " she concluded.
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The Venezuelan socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro on Monday transmitted a written protest to the French ambassador in Caracas, Romain Nadal, accusing him of interfering in his internal affairs.
" Ambassador Nadal has abused the privileges granted him by the Venezuelan State because of his status as a diplomat " and " his recent action violates international conventions on customs and practices which regulate peaceful relations between nations " , ruled the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The text considers that by welcoming the opposition leader to Nicolas Maduro, recognized by France and sixty countries as interim president, the diplomat participated " in a clear strategy of provocation, interference and interference in internal affairs ”.