Moscow Accuses Venezuelan Opposition of Trying to Whip up Conflict

The situation in crisis-torn Venezuela received new impetus earlier in the day after opposition leader Juan Guaido urged Venezuelan civilians and armed forces to take to the streets to help depose President Nicolas Maduro.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday accused the Venezuelan opposition of fuelling the conflict, provoking public disorder, and trying to draw the armed forces into clashes.

Venezuela's issues should be resolved via responsible talks without preconditions, the statement further reads.

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"We call for renouncing violence. It is important to avoid unrest and bloodshed. The problems facing Venezuela should be resolved through a responsible negotiation process without preconditions. Any actions should be taken exclusively within the framework of the legal field, in strict accordance with the constitution and without destructive external interference", the ministry said.

"We confirm the principled position in favour of political and civilised ways to resolve internal differences by the citizens of Venezuela. We urge all members of the international community, including the country's closest neighbours, to reaffirm adherence to the UN Charter, norms, and principles of international law, to support the return of Venezuela to the path of stable and progressive development through dialogue of all responsible political forces", it said.

​Earlier in the day, Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president of the country, Juan Guaido, published a video calling on soldiers to join the ranks of his supporters against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Commenting on the move, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that he had spoken with military leaders and that they had shown "their total loyalty".