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UNASUR delegation to visit Venezuela to "support democracy": Maduro

Xinhua, March 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced Tuesday that a delegation of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) will visit Caracas Friday to "support democracy" due to the alleged U.S. meddling in the nation's internal affairs.

In his weekly TV program, Maduro said he talked with UNASUR secretary general, Ernesto Samper, who confirmed that he will travel along with foreign ministers of Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay to talk about recent "destabilization attempts" by Washington and the local opposition.

"Mr. Samper has confirmed the visit of the delegation to our country to support democracy and Venezuela's sovereignty", said Maduro.

The head of state thanked the regional organization's support for opposing "coup plans and imperialist intervention."

UNASUR has expressed its serious worries about recent "destabilization plans" in Venezuela after Maduro unveiled a thwarted coup in mid-February included his assassination and a "transition government."

The regional group also said it was concerned about the "political standoff" in the country after the arrest of Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma,who along with the jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez and former lawmaker Maria Corina Machado, led this plan.

Ledezma's arrest on charges of plotting against the government provoked spontaneous demonstrations and drew international condemnation.

Besides, Maduro said that several military officers were already arrested for participating in the thwarted coup and linked several opposition figures to the U.S. funded plan.

On Feb. 12, Maduro foiled a Washington-backed coup attempt that sought to assassinate him and trigger a military uprising to topple his government.

Washington responded by saying Maduro's accusations were "ridiculous." Endi