IRGC affiliated Fars news agency reports that on March 1st, Shuwan Naviya, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry Deputy in Asia and Middle East Affairs, had an official meeting in Tehran with Majid Takht Ravanchi, the Iranian regime’s Foreign Ministry Deputy in European and American Affairs. Takht Ravanchi condemned protestors in Venezuela, calling them provocative and claiming they are instigating destabilization. He emphasized the mullahs’ support for the Venezuelan establishment.

This meeting coincided with the climax of demonstrations in Venezuela. During the past three weeks anti-government demonstrations have occurred in Caracas and other cities in Venezuela. At least 17 people have been killed and 260 others injured in these protests, many have also been arrested.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who seized power in 2013, is 52 years old. He was in Hugo Chavez’s inner circle for years and after Chavez’s death last year Maduro was chosen as the leader of the Socialist Union Party and he then became president, continuing Chavez’s policies.