Ecuador Adopts Resolution Condemning US Sanctions Against Venezuela

Ecuador's National Assembly passed a resolution expressing solidarity with Venezuela. The resolution was adopted Monday with 66 votes in favor of it, 16 votes against and eight abstentions.

MOSCOW, December 30 (Sputnik) – Ecuador's National Assembly has passed a resolution expressing solidarity with Venezuela and condemned the imposition of sanctions on the country by the United States, Venezuelan network TeleSur reported.

The resolution was adopted Monday with 66 votes in favor of it, 16 votes against and eight abstentions.

Assembly member Diego Vintimilla denounced the United States' imposition of sanctions against Venezuela, saying that the US legislators should not interfere in the internal affairs of Latin American countries. Vintimilla also accused the United States of double standards in its foreign policy and stressed the importance of respect for international legal obligations.

"If we are so determined to defend our principles let us comply with those specifying noninterference and respect of international law," Vintimilla was quoted as saying by TeleSur.

Earlier in December, US President Barack Obama approved sanctions on Venezuela. The sanctions target individuals who are allegedly responsible for human rights violations during February protests against President Nicolas Maduro's government.

A series of protest against high levels of violence, record inflation and shortages of basic goods took place across Venezuela from February to June. The Venezuelan government deemed the protests to be coup attempts and arrested number of opposition leaders.

Maduro warned that the imposition of sanctions would worsen relations between the countries and described the move as imperialist and disrespectful.