国际英语资讯:Venezuelan crisis calls for political, not military solution: defense chief

CARACAS, May 28 -- Venezuela's troubles call for a political, "not military," solution, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said on Sunday.

In an interview with privately-owned TV channel Televen, Padrino addressed the recent spate of violent anti-government protests, saying the clashes "could end today if there were the political will" to do so.

Padrino also reiterated President Nicolas Maduro's call for dialogue to overcome the bitter power struggle between the ruling socialist party (PSUV) and the opposition coalition of conservative parties (MUD).

The problem is made even more "complex" by the involvement of foreign interests in the oil-rich country's internal affairs, said Padrino, adding there was "an uNPRecedented campaign of intervention ... being directed by the U.S. government," the Washington, D.C.-based Organization of American States (OAS) and "right-wing" countries in Latin America.

The South American nation is also gripped by an economic crisis that has led to shortages of basic goods, further fueling widespread discontent, Padrino acknowledged.

Venezuela's "complex economic situation," he said, was sparked by plummeting oil prices, "on top of which there is an economic war ... that has really upset the Venezuelan people."

The government maintains that business owners aligned with the conservatives have worked to sabotage the economy, by idling factories, hoarding goods and price gouging.

Recently, the opposition addressed letters to the different components of the armed forces and the National Guard, asking them to stop serving as "bodyguards to a putrid and corrupt dictatorship."

The country's armed forces are not immune to the deep divisions roiling the country, admitted Padrino, saying "several (military) cadres are working to have a (coup-style) adventure."

However, "they are not going to succeed," he said, due to the "democratic character" of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB).

Venezuelan Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz has criticized security forces for their "excessive use" of force against anti-government demonstrators, blaming the death of one protester, Juan Pablo Pernalete, on the National Guard.

Pernalete died after being hit by tear gas bomb on April 26.

The latest wave of protests began in early April, after the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) moved to temporarily take on the legislative powers of the opposition-controlled National Assembly (Congress) in a bid to break the political deadlock that has stymied government.

While the TSJ revoked that decision two days later, the measure reignited anti-government sentiment, sparking almost daily protests calling for early general elections.