The United States rejected a move by Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro to break diplomatic ties, saying Washington would conduct relations with a government led by opposition leader Juan Guaido.
The US and other major countries are backing Venezuela’s new self proclaimed acting president in repudiation of President Nicolas Maduro as mass protests rocked the economically strapped country.
The move by Juan Guaido, the head of Venezuela’s opposition-led legislature, to declare himself new leader came as thousands of rival protesters jammed the streets of Caracas, at times clashing with riot police. It also raised the stakes in the oil-rich nation which has slid into poverty under Maduro.
Thousands of Venezuelans abroad – from Madrid to Lima to Santiago in Chile – welcomed Guaido’s pronouncement. The likes of Cuba and Russia remained loyal to Mr Maduro.
It also capped days of political drama that has seen 13 people killed in two days of unrest, the Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict said.
“I swear to formally assume the national executive powers as acting president of Venezuela to end the usurpation, (install) a transitional government and hold free elections,” the 35-year-old Guaido told a throng of cheering supporters.
Within minutes, US President Donald Trump issued a statement declaring Maduro “illegitimate” and calling the National Assembly “the only legitimate branch of government duly elected by the Venezuelan people.”
A dozen regional players soon followed suit, with Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Canada among those backing Guaido, although Mexico and Cuba stood firm in support of Maduro – as did the country’s powerful military.
A furious Maduro responded by breaking off diplomatic ties with the “imperialist” US government, giving its diplomats 72 hours to leave. The State Department said it did not recognize Maduro as president anymore so his order meant nothing.
“Get out! Leave Venezuela, here there’s dignity, damn it,” shouted Maduro to the cheers of thousands supporters outside the presidential palace in Caracas.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement: “The United States maintains diplomatic relations with Venezuela and will conduct our relations with Venezuela through the government of interim President Guaido, who has invited our mission to remain in Venezuela.”
“The United States does not recognize the Maduro regime as the government of Venezuela. Accordingly the United States does not consider former president Nicolas Maduro to have the legal authority to break diplomatic relations.”
Mr Guaido retorted with an open letter urging foreign powers to maintain their diplomatic presence in the country.
Maduro’s isolation was starkly apparent as the international community closed ranks around Guaido – and against the leftist leader, reelected in May in snap elections boycotted by the opposition and denounced around the world.
In Washington, a top administration official issued a stern warning to Maduro’s regime not to use force against the opposition.
“If Maduro and his cronies choose to respond with violence, if they choose to harm any of the National Assembly members… all options are on the table for the United States in regards to action to be taken,” said the official.
In Brussels, EU Council President Donald Tusk said that “unlike Maduro” Guaido’s National Assembly has “a democratic mandate from Venezuelan citizens.”
And the head of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, told Guaido: “You have all our recognition to launch the return of democracy to the country.”
Speaking from a balcony at the presidential palace, Maduro lashed out at Trump, denouncing his “extremist policy” as “a very serious folly.”
“Trying to impose a government by extra-constitutional means, we cannot accept that.”
Maduro appealed for the support of the armed forces – which pledged its continuing loyalty to him.
“The nation’s soldiers don’t accept a president imposed by obscure interests, nor one self-proclaimed outside of the law,” Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino tweeted.
The armed forces “will defend our constitution and is the guarantor of national sovereignty,” he said.