UN chief speaks to Venezuelan president

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday held a phone conversation with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro about latest tensions in the region, the UN said.

"The Secretary-General has received a phone call from H.E. Nicolas Maduro Moros, the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, regarding the current tensions in the region," said a statement from Guterres' office.

Noting that "during the call, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the United Nations' position on the need for Member States to respect international law, particularly the United Nations Charter," Guterres reaffirmed the need to "exert restraint and de-escalate tensions to preserve regional stability."