CARACAS, Aug 18 (NNN-TELESUR) -- Venezuela "categorically rejects" the U.S. State Department's official response to the failed assassination of President Nicolas Maduro, describing Washington's "cynical accusations" as interfering in the nation's domestic politics.
In a statement published by Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza on Twitter on Friday, the Venezuelan government accused U.S. President Donald Trump's administration of bias, and said Trump himself had publicly advocated the use of torture.
"Venezuela is not the country that has planted around the world illegal detention centers where information is sought to extract detainees using methods recognized around the world as torture," the statement reads.
"Likewise, Venezuela is not the country that indefinitely detains immigrants in detention centers or that has reached the point of separating children from their parents, leading them not only to emotional trauma and the systematic violation of their rights, but also exposing them to atrocities such as sexual abuse and even the forced consumption of psychotropic substances, as denounced by Judge Dolly Gee."
The statement went on to point out that Caracas has invited the United States to take part in the investigation, but "that once again, having the opportunity to stand on the side of justice, the United States prefers to remain on the side of violence and unconstitutional departures."
In the original statement, U.S. State Department Spokesman Heather Nauert accused the Venezuelan government of arbitrary detention; violating parliamentary immunity, and the use of torture to extract confessions.
"We join the international community in calling for an independent expert commission to investigate the August 4 incident," Nauert wrote.
On August 4, during the Bolivarian National Armed Guard's 81st anniversary celebrations, two drones packed with C4 explosives were detonated while President Maduro was delivering a speech, injuring seven military personnel.
The Venezuelan government has arrested dozens of suspects and laid initial blame for the attempted assassination at the feet of Colombia's former President Juan Manuel Santos in collusion with the Venezuelan opposition and agents in the United States. -- NNN-TELESUR
