UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged involved parties to lower tension in Venezuela on January 24, 2019. (Photo: AFP)

New York (People’s Daily) - Reports of violence and casualties linked to unrest in Venezuela should be investigated transparently and independently, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday, before calling for calm.

The announcement follows Wednesday’s declaration by Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó that he had become the country’s interim president until new elections could be held.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was officially sworn back into office for a disputed second term, following elections mired in controversy two weeks ago.

In a statement issued by Guterres, the UN chief urged all parties to lower tensions in the South American country, rife with economic and political turmoil, after deadly clashes in the capital Caracas between security forces and thousands of demonstrators opposed to the current Maduro government.

“The Secretary-General is concerned over reports of casualties in the context of demonstrations and unrest in Venezuela and calls for a transparent and independent investigation of these incidents,” UN General-Secretary spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said while reading from the statement.

“At this critical time, Guterres urges all actors to lower tensions and pursue every effort to prevent violence and avoid any escalation,” Dujarric also read.

The Secretary-General also underlined the urgent need for all relevant actors to commit to inclusive and credible political dialogue to address the protracted crisis in the country, with full respect for the rule of law and human rights.