Kimberly Breier, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, repudiated the "inhumanity" of Nicolás Maduro's regime for blocking the assistance of food and medicine, and acknowledged that Washington is working with Juan Guaidó and governments in the region to help reaches the Venezuelan people.
Por lucas Goyret
lgoyret@infobae.com
"The inhumanity of the regime is something that has not been seen in modern history." That was how concrete Kimberly Breier, Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs in the United States, was about the position of dictator Nicolás Maduro to block the entry of humanitarian aid sent by the international community.
"The policy of the regime is to promote and increase the suffering of the Venezuelan people," said the US diplomat, during a teleconference from the State Department of which Infobae participated.
"The regime has not only left Venezuela bankrupt, but now it is preventing the humanitarian aid that Venezuelans desperately demand," he added.
Given the blockade imposed by the Chavez dictatorship, Breier acknowledged that the United States "is coordinating with Juan Guaidó and his team of experts, governments of the region and humanitarian agencies, the logistics to ensure an efficient and safe mobilization" of humanitarian aid, and that they will not use military force if the refusal of the regime persists.
"We are not going to enter by force. It is a civil movement, of humanitarian aid, "he said.
The Undersecretary of State for Western Affairs highlighted the commitment of the Donald Trump government to the Venezuelan cause. The first part of the aid that the US promised to send is already in Cúcuta, on the border with Colombia, ready to be delivered when possible.
However, he clarified: "The initial shipment is the first part of the US commitment to Venezuela. There is a lot of work to be done. Our commitment to the Venezuelan people does not begin or end today. "
Breier called on the international community to join the efforts of the United States, as well as organizations and private entities. He also underscored the support Guaidó received from 49 countries around the world.
Despite clarifying that the United States will not use force to enter the food and medicine for the population, the US diplomat sent a direct message to the Armed Forces of the regime: "It is time to support the people, their Venezuelan brothers, is the At the moment of taking one of the most important decisions of their lives, the only option is to support the people. "
Assistance from the USA
On January 24, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, announced that Washington would provide more than 20 million dollars in initial humanitarian assistance for the Venezuelan people.
"This assistance will provide medical supplies that are urgently needed and will be directed to Venezuela's most vulnerable populations," said Breier.
He recalled, meanwhile, that since the fiscal year 2017, the United States has contributed more than 140 million dollars. Of that figure, 97 million have been earmarked for humanitarian aid, and 44 million to support the countries that have received the millions of Venezuelan refugees.
"US assistance includes assistance for Venezuelan citizens in 17 countries in the region, including Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago."
"Reaching 49 supports in two weeks is something impressive, it is a very important moment on the global stage. We are working in diplomacy with other countries and we will continue working to add more support, "he said.
In response to those who still recognize Maduro as president of Venezuela, he said: "The contrast between Guaidó and Maduro is visible. While Guaidó asks for humanitarian aid, Maduro continues to block his income. "
On Friday, the dictator reiterated his refusal to receive humanitarian assistance and accused the US of mounting a "show" to "invade" the Venezuelan territory. In this regard, Breier said that "the only invasion" that exists in Venezuela "is Cuban."