The Venezuelan opposition has taken over several properties previously used by President Nicolas Maduro’s government for diplomatic and consular purposes in Washington DC and New York on Monday.
“Today I inform all of you that we are taking control of three assets of the [Bolivarian] Republic [of Venezuela],” said the opposition’s envoy to the US, Carlos Vecchio, speaking from the recently taken office of Venezuela’s military attache in Washington DC.
Vecchio added that soon the opposition will take control over the main embassy building.
Venezuela has been in a political crisis since January 23, when opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself president and was recognized by a majority of American and European countries. Maduro’s government responded by cutting diplomatic ties with the US which, not recognizing Maduro’s authority, has collaborated with Guaido’s envoys to give them control of Venezuelan diplomatic properties.