Kremlin Rules Out Giving Maduro Political Asylum, Believes Him Legitimate Head Of State

Sumaira FH Published January 24, 2019 | 04:04 PM

Moscow believes that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is the legitimately-elected head of state and rules out granting him political asylum, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2019) Moscow believes that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is the legitimately-elected head of state and rules out granting him political asylum, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.

Over the past days, Venezuela has been witnessing mass anti-government protests. On Tuesday, the opposition-run Venezuelan National Assembly adopted a statement declaring Maduro an usurper.

On Wednesday, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the country's interim president at a mass rally in Caracas.

"Mr. Maduro is the legitimate president of Venezuela, therefore we consider the question inappropriate," Peskov said answering the question whether Moscow could grant Maduro asylum if necessary.

Commenting on whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was planning to talk to Maduro by phone, Peskov said that Kremlin would inform the media in case such talks were on the agenda.