Venezuela ambassador visibly irked by Pence’s admonishment at U.N.
United Nations — Vice President Mike Pence called on the United Nations to yank the credentials of Nicolas Maduro’s representative, and “seat the representative of the free Venezuelan government in this body without delay.”
“The time has come for the United Nations to recognize interim President Juan Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela and seat his representative in this body.”He addressed the current Venezuelan ambassador to the U.N., Samuel Moncada, who was looking at his phone while Pence was speaking. “With all due respect, Mr. Ambassador, you shouldn’t be here,” he said. “You should return to Venezuela and tell Nicolas Maduro that his time is up. It’s time for him to go.” Moncada looked up from his phone and shook his head at him and mumbled something unintelligible.Afterward, the vice president told reporters that the U.S. is working on introducing a resolution to revoke Moncada’s credentials. When asked what made him think the U.S. had the support to do this, Pence said he thinks “momentum is on the side of freedom.”
He was also asked whether the Trump administration has a “red line” on Russia’s involvement in the Western hemisphere and Venezuela, and he said that Russia and Iran should not be involved in the region. “They should step aside,” he said. Another reporter pointed out that the U.S. currently does not have a U.N. ambassador.The political crisis engulfing Venezuela has left almost a quarter of the once-wealthy South American nation’s population in dire need of help, a new United Nations report says. The internal report, obtained by CBS News, says 7 million Venezuelans “or about 24 percent of the total population currently living in the country, are estimated to have urgent priority needs for assistance and protection.”A whopping 94 percent of Venezuelans are living in poverty, according to the report, dubbed an “overview of priority humanitarian needs” in the country.The report, which has been presented to President Nicolas Maduro and was sent to U.N. diplomats, is expected to be referenced at a gathering Wednesday of the U.N. Security Council, at which U.S. Vice President Mike Pence was scheduled to speak. Pence has weighed in previously on Venezuela, mounting the full pressure of the Trump administration on Maduro’s embattled regime. The White House was one of the first foreign governments to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate leader of Venezuela, and has consistently called on Maduro to step down.Why Putin has sent Russian troops into Venezuela”Heading to NYC tomorrow to address the @UN Security Council. It’s time for ALL NATIONS to stand with President @Jguaido and the free government of Venezuela.” Pence said in a tweet. Underscoring the importance of the event, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres attended the meeting. His Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) chief, Under Secretary General Mark Lowcock, briefed the 15-nation Council.