During her address to the Venezuelan Parliament, Rodriguez acknowledged that the US aggression has cast a dark shadow over US-Venezuela relations, stressing that Caracas intends to continue pursuing diplomatic channels to resolve existing disputes with Washington.
She firmly asserted that the Venezuelan people are independent and have the inherent right to engage diplomatically with any country.
The acting president also pledged full efforts toward securing the freedom of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were reportedly abducted following a US strike on January 3 and subsequently transferred to the US for trial on alleged narco-terrorism charges.
In court, Maduro maintained his innocence and his legitimacy as president, a stance echoed by Flores, who affirmed her position as the First Lady of Venezuela.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, in response to Caracas’s confirmation of continued relations, stated that the bond between Tehran and Caracas is long-standing, based on mutual respect and shared interests, and is not dependent on individuals. Iran welcomed Rodriguez’s clear affirmation of friendly ties with nations, including the Islamic Republic.
IRNA