Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto on Thursday responded to accusations leveled by Western countries against Venezuela regarding "human rights violations," saying the hegemonic countries' use of "ideological differences" to "bash other countries" has become a matter of meaningless deception.

In an exclusive interview for Al Mayadeen on the sidelines of the 52nd Conference on Human Rights in Geneva, Pinto indicated that these differences represent manipulation that harms the course of the struggle for human rights, in particular, and aims to distort the will of people who have determined a destiny for themselves, such as Venezuela.

The Venezuelan Minister condemned the use of human rights rhetoric to attack countries that disturb the comfort of the dominant countries, calling it "really a very unfortunate situation."

He pointed out that Venezuela is a country that cherishes human rights in its constitution as an essential element, explaining that the Bolivarian Revolution is nothing but the fruit of a struggle in defense of human rights.

Pinto pointed out that by imposing sanctions on it, Venezuela is a victim of a systematic violation of human rights.

Venezuela's stance on Ukraine war

Regarding Venezuela's position on the developments of the Ukraine war, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister said the situation that Europe is suffering from due to the war in Ukraine is "very unfortunate", adding that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed the same position since day one.

The Venezuelan Minister considered that no country can threaten the security of another or achieve its security at the expense of threatening the security of another country.

Exclusive interview with the #Venezuelan Foreign Minister
Where does #Venezuela stand from the developments of the war between #Russia and #NATO in #Ukraine?#AlMayadeen @moussaassi https://t.co/Im6dSIwrCd
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 2, 2023

He noted that Venezuela adheres to the existing position that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia must be resolved through diplomatic channels and not by using weapons.

Pinto warned that providing Ukraine with more weapons further complicates the situation, adding that Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has launched an interesting initiative in search of countries that can bring the positions of Russia and Ukraine closer together.

Pinto stressed that his country is analyzing China's 12-point position paper on the Ukraine war that highlighted all the steps required to reach a "political settlement".

A strategic alliance plan between Venezuela and Iran

Assessing Venezuela's relationship with Russia and Iran, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister said Venezuela has a close cooperation relationship with both countries, adding that there are a number of mutual projects in the fields of energy, food, information technology, and transportation.

Pinto stressed that Russia and Iran have been allies of Venezuela for a long time and his country has very strong relations with them, adding that the three countries participate together in important political forums, such as groups defending United Nations principles.

He also noted that his country had signed a strategic alliance plan with Iran for the next 20 years.

Caracas-Washington relationship linked to oil

Commenting on the US delegation's visit to Venezuela, the top Venezuelan diplomat said, "We thought that this visit would pave the way for new relations with Washington."

Pinto pointed to ongoing talks with Washington at various levels, describing the situation as complicated because the US is an "empire" infested with contradictions.

In this regard, he indicated that Venezuela does seek good relations with the United States and all countries of the world, adding that the US imposes an old vision against Venezuela, in which the manifestations of the empire and remnants of the Monroe Doctrine are still evident.

He affirmed that Venezuela will be able to convince the American society and political establishment that the best way to coexist is through a healthy relationship.

#Venezuela's FM Yvan Gil Pinto in an exclusive interview for #AlMayadeen:
We are certain that we will be able to convince the #American society and political establishment that the best way to co-existence is through a healthy relationship.#AlMayadeen @moussaassi https://t.co/VMnduSNrCD
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 2, 2023

Answering a question on whether the US delegation's visit to Venezuela came as an attempt to obtain Venezuelan oil, Pinto said his country has the largest oil reserves in the world, and the United States is the largest oil consumer in the world, and therefore, the relationship between Caracas and Washington is "always sort of linked to oil."

Was the aim behind the US delegation's visit to #Venezuela a few months ago obtaining #Venezuelan oil?#AlMayadeen @moussaassi https://t.co/r0tg8d4Du7
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 2, 2023

He continued, "We have an ideological and structural difference with the United States, as its vision of the world is very complex, and we do not share this vision."

Venezuelan European Relations

Commenting on relations between Venezuela and France, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister said the two countries enjoy stable relations, although, a few years ago, there were some differences mirrored in fiery statements.

According to Pinto, the European Union took "a hostile stance at some point, but relations are improving," adding that the bloc realizes that Venezuela represents a solid democracy.

He pointed out that Venezuela's social, political, and economic stability is beginning to take shape with greater force, which gradually leads to the return of relations between Europe and Venezuela to their historical level.

#Venezuela's FM Yvan Gil Pinto in an exclusive interview for #AlMayadeen:
The #EuropeanUnion took a hostile stance at some point against #Venezuela, but relations are improving.@moussaassi https://t.co/X3XPxNoXeG
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 2, 2023

Touching on the general situation in Latin America, especially after the return of leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's return to power in Brazil, the Venezuelan Minister considered that Latin America is witnessing a progressive wave after difficulties with some elected governments, which did not know how to express the will of their people to improve integration in Latin America.

Exclusive interview with the #Venezuelan Foreign Minister#LulaDaSilva returned to office in #Brazil and changes took place in #Colombia, how does #Venezuela see these changes?@moussaassi https://t.co/c2IwMKhfAt
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 2, 2023

Pinto said Latin America is going through an "interesting phase", especially with the conclusion of the summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Buenos Aires in January, whose outlook he described as "positive".

The Venezuelan official said Brazil's return to the CELAC would give the community a much greater dynamism than before. Elsewhere, he pointed out that the election of a popular government in Colombia contributed to changing the situation in Latin America.