“The latest communique of the Lima Group is ridiculous. We do not know whether to laugh or vomit … I am absolutely convinced that we will win in this battle, in this historical period, we will win against the Lima cartel, I am convinced that we will win in diplomacy and politics,” Maduro said in his address.
“At least 10 million Venezuelans will sign it, we will send this document to the White House, insisting on respect [of rights],” Maduro said in his address to the nation.
The Lima Group and a number of other countries convened in Ottawa on Monday to discuss a range of solutions to the political crisis in Venezuela. The attendees issued a declaration following a meeting, which has slammed the Venezuelan government over the growing political crisis and called on the global community to suspend financial and trade ties with Caracas.
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On January 23, Juan Guaido, the speaker of the Venezuelan opposition-led National Assembly, proclaimed himself the country’s interim president. The opposition figure was supported by the United States and a number of other countries.
Russia and China, as well as several other countries, have refused to support Guaido, backing Maduro as the country's legitimate president and demanding that other countries respect the principle of non-interference in Venezuela's domestic affairs.