US top diplomat Blinken talks with Guaido about ‘pressure’ on Maduro
US TOP diplomat Antony Blinken on March 2 spoke with Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, whom Washington recognises as interim president, and proposed working with allies to increase “multilateral pressure” against leftist leader Nicolas Maduro.
State department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement: “Secretary of State Antony J Blinken spoke with Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaido today. Secretary Blinken stressed the importance of a return to democracy in Venezuela through free and fair elections.”
The two spoke via video call. Blinken called for “efforts to work with likeminded allies” such as the EU, the Organisation of American States and initiatives such as the Lima Group to “increase multilateral pressure” for a “peaceful, democratic transition” in the South American country, the statement said.
Maduro, whose 2018 re-election has been deemed fraudulent by the White House, said after President Joe Biden’s inauguration that he wanted to forge a “new path” with the US.
Relations between Washington and Caracas were tense under former president Donald Trump, who imposed crippling sanctions on Venezuela and its state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) in an effort to force socialist Maduro from power.
Venezuela’s economic crisis has caused more than five million people to flee the country.
Blinken “committed to continued US support” in his call with Guaido, Price’s statement said.
Guaido, according to a statement from
his office, told Blinken he was committed to the US and other allies in seeking political solutions while increasing humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.
The statement said: “They agreed to work with the international community to achieve free, fair and transparent presidential and parliamentary elections.”
Before taking office in January, Blinken called Maduro a “dictator”
and said he would continue Trump’s policy of recognising Guaido as the interim president.
Guaido declared himself Venezuela’s leader in 2019, rooting his legitimacy in his role as speaker of the opposition-led National Assembly. His claim has been recognised by more than 50 countries, including the US.
Control of the legislative body has since been won by Maduro’s forces
in December 2020 elections internationally considered rigged.
The US state department also praised El Salvador on March 2 for holding “successful” legislative and municipal elections. Parties allied with President Nayib Bukele were victorious.
Washington called on “all parties to work together to resolve any remaining concerns about this election peacefully”, Price said in a statement.
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Pitchers’ illegal moves
“Get ___ of yourself!” Camping grp.
Oil well firefighter Red
Private instructor
Barley bristle
Tool for a certain shark
Hula hoop?
And others, for short
Prefix for “way” or “wife” Certain Major Leaguer (Abbr.) Tool that’s a wicker basket Soccer is football there Skating figure
Medical pictures
Phrase in legalese
Veiled oath?
Ones in the fast lane?
Like newly pressed pants
Cry to a bullfighter
Use acid to cut
Joyous, in poetry
Draw a conclusion
Willows used in basketry
Tool used for those who serve “Hop” or “sing” ending 54 55 59 60 64 65 66 67 68 69
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Shooters’ org.
Expression of sorrow
Tillis or Torme
Tool used for good, strong slaps Tiger’s org.
Pear and apple, e.g. Small-minded
Author Rand
Spring purchases
Sooty residues
DOWN
Titular film pig
Mine entrance
Singer’s syllables
Party poopers
___ Lanka
Indoor courtyards
Football-field conferences
How some stocks are sold (Abbr.) Piniella or Rawls
Soak
Soothing salves
Like Georgia Brown
Diva Baker
Tahiti sweetie
Still and all
Church feature 26 27 28 29
30 33 34 35 36 38 40 41 44 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 56 57 58 61 62 63
A Cockney will often drop one Hunchback of film horror Large public show
River that flows to the Caspian Sea
Demolish, to a Brit
Daisy look-alike
Land in the ocean
Forest ruminant
Lofty works
Ring officials
Natural effortlessness
Stirs up trouble
Started the Model T
Small hotel
Monday-football times
Give the go-ahead
Neighbor of St. Petersburg Song of lament
Legendary pitcher Ryan
Salad ingredient, sometimes Suffix meaning “stone” Entr’___
“The ___ the limit!”
It’s found in a lode
Average grade
Relaxing resort
BRAZILIAN football great Pele, 80, received a Covid-19 vaccine on March 2, a moment he described as “unforgettable” while urging people not to let down their guard against the deadly virus.
“Today was an unforgettable day. I received the vaccine!” the man considered one of the greatest footballers of all time wrote on his Instagram account.
The message included a photo of Pele wearing a mask and giving a thumbs-up while he received his shot.
“The pandemic is not over. We must remain disciplined to save lives because many people have not yet been vaccinated,” he wrote, and advocated maskwearing, social distancing and hand-washing as virus protection.
“This [the pandemic] will pass if we think of each other and help each other,” he said.
Pele’s press team did not respond to questions about which vaccine he received, and whether it was the first or second dose.
The only player to win three World Cups – in Sweden in 1958, Chile in 1962 and Mexico in 1970 – Pele has self-isolated at his house in Sao Paulo state since the start of the health crisis which has left more than 255,000 people dead in Brazil, where vaccination has been slow to start.
As an octogenarian, Pele forms part of the population considered at high risk of coronavirus complications.
His health has deteriorated in recent years, and in limited recent public appearances, he has been seen in a wheelchair or supported by a walker.