WATCH: Pompeo addresses U.S. relations with Venezuela

South Africa’s U.N. ambassador says U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has asked to discuss the political situation in Venezuela with the U.N. Security Council in closed consultations on Saturday morning.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke during an emergency meeting of the Organization of American States today. Watch his remarks in the player above.

Jerry Matjila told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York on Thursday that the council would discuss whether the situation in Venezuela poses a threat to international peace and security.

Venezuela is not on the Security Council agenda and the U.S. needs the support of at least nine of the 15 council nations to hold a meeting.

Before Matjila spoke, Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters he didn’t think such a meeting was required.

U.S. will conduct diplomatic relations with #Venezuela through the government of interim President Guaido. U.S. does not recognize the #Maduro regime. U.S. does not consider former president Maduro to have the legal authority to break diplomatic relations. https://t.co/DBS4GiGEWI pic.twitter.com/gQZJuS1xfn

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 24, 2019

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday recognized National Assembly leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president, leading President Nicolas Maduro to demand that all U.S. diplomats leave the country in 72 hours. Pompeo told the diplomats to stay because the U.S. doesn’t recognize Maduro.

Matjila said South Africa still recognizes the Maduro government. He called the situation in Venezuela “very delicate,” and encouraged Venezuelans “to sit together and discuss among themselves to see what they can do.”

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