The US and its European allies are continuing to step up pressure against the Maduro government and provide support to opposition leader Juan Guaido. Erdogan Gunduzpolat, the chair of the Latin America-Turkey Business Development Association, shed light on Western countries’ role in the Venezuelan crisis.
The US and EU adhere to democratic principles only when it fits their interests, said Erdogan Gunduzpolat, the chair of the Latin America-Turkey Business Development Association, drawing parallels between Washington and Brussels’ reactions towards the ongoing Venezuelan crisis and the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey.
Therefore, the Western countries’ attempts to pin the blame on Venezuela — a sovereign and independent state — for violation of human rights look unconvincing, the businessman pointed out.
Commenting on the Russia-Turkey consensus on the situation in Venezuela, Gunduzpolat highlighted that while Moscow has maintained close ties with the Latin American country for decades, Ankara has just started to develop cooperation with the continent.According to the businessman, “Russia and Turkey are on the same page regarding the need to build up cooperation with Latin America”.
Referring to the Venezuelan political crisis, Gunduzpolat drew parallels between the ongoing unrest in the Latin American country and the attempted July 2016 coup d’etat in Turkey.
The news about the Turkish unrest emerged in the evening of 15 July 2016 and prompted mixed signals from the US and European states: Washington and EU members seemingly hesitated to express unequivocal support for President Erdogan while the situation was hanging in the balance.
Only on 16 July, the European Commission issued a statement saying that “the EU fully supports the democratically elected government, the institutions of the country and the rule of law”.
Earlier, on 15 July, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini merely urged “for restraint and respect for democratic institutions”, stressing that Brussels is closely keeping an eye on what was going on in Turkey.