Venezuela ‘to fully revise US ties, announce measures soon’
Venezuela has announced a decision to fully revise its diplomatic relations with the United States, claiming that Washington has given “orders” for a coup in the socialist Latin American country.
During a radio and TV broadcast on Tuesday, President Nicolas Maduro ordered Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza to begin “a total revision of relations” with Washington.
He also pledged to announce a new foreign policy regarding Washington imminently.
Maduro’s remarks came in response to comments made earlier on Tuesday by US Vice President Mike Pence.
Pence published a video message voicing Washington’s support for Venezuelan protesters and opposition leaders before anti-government demonstrations planned for Wednesday. In the message, Pence described Maduro as a “dictator with no legitimate claim to power.”
“As the good people of Venezuela make your voices heard tomorrow, on behalf of the American people, we say: estamos con ustedes. We are with you,” Pence said.
Maduro referred to that statement as an “order” for a coup in Venezuela.
“What the government of the United States did through Vice President Mike Pence was to give orders to carry out a coup from the fascist state... which is unparalleled in the history of relations between the United States and Venezuela in 200 years,” the Venezuelan president said.
‘Yankee, go home!’
Other Venezuelan officials also slammed Pence.
“Yankee, go home! We won’t let them interfere in the affairs of the homeland,” Maduro’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said.
Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez accused Pence of having ordered “terrorists” to carry out acts of violence on Wednesday.
Counter-demonstrations are planned for Wednesday.
The opposition in Venezuela is currently led by the National Assembly President Juan Guaido.
Guaido, 35, a legislator from the hard-line Popular Will opposition party and an arch-foe of Maduro, has called for the military to disavow Maduro.
He promised a future amnesty for those who help topple the government.
“We’re not asking you to launch a coup d’etat, we’re not asking you to shoot. We’re asking you not to shoot at us,” Guaido told members of the military on Monday.
On the same day, some two dozen officers seized a military outpost near the presidential palace in Caracas but soon surrendered.
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