Commentary by Zaur Gvadzhava, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Abkhazia to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in connection with the statement of Ivan Gil Pinto, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on the suspension of the activities of the technical advisory bureau of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Venezuela.

It is noted, in particular:

“Venezuela is expelling staff from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. This was announced by Ivan Gil Pinto, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela at a press conference broadcast by the Venezolana de Televisión television channel.

According to a statement by Ivan Gil Pinto, the head of the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry, the Office of the UN High Commissioner in Venezuela is accused of “colonial policy and violation of the UN Charter” and employees of the technical advisory office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Venezuela “must leave the country within 72 hours.”

As always, the Republic of Abkhazia supports the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, including now when it is facing such difficult trials. This is our brotherly country.

When Sergei Bagapsh, the President of the Republic of Abkhazia first came to Venezuela and met with President Hugo Chavez, I realized that this would be a friendship that would last for many years.

We thank President Nicolas Maduro for continuing the legacy of our beloved Hugo Chavez.
I can say with confidence that my country will always stand on the side of Venezuela.”