The United States has rejected a move by Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday to break the political and diplomatic ties, saying that the US did not consider Maduro as a legitimate holder of the presidency as well as he had no authority to cut ties between two nations, and the US would now conduct relations with the government led by Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido.
According to Reuters news reports, in an official statement, the US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said: “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 statement further stated: “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.”
On Wednesday, Guaido has declared himself as the interim president of the country, winning the backing from many Latin American nations and Washington, prompting Maduro to break off its political and diplomatic relations with the US and providing 72 hours to American diplomats to leave Venezuela.
However, Pompeo suggested that the US diplomats have planned to stay there and demanded the Venezuelan security and military forces “continue protecting … all Venezuelan citizens, as well as the US and other foreign citizens in Venezuela.”
Pompeo said, “We call on all parties to refrain from measures that are inconsistent with the privileges and immunities enjoyed by members of the diplomatic community.”
He added, “The United States will take appropriate actions to hold accountable anyone who endangers the safety and security of our mission and its personnel.”