The US National Security Adviser John Bolton
The U.S. national security adviser on Sunday warned of a "significant response" to any threat against U.S. diplomats in Venezuela or the country's self-declared president.
"Any violence and intimidation against U.S. diplomatic personnel, Venezuela’s democratic leader, Juan Guiado, or the National Assembly itself would represent a grave assault on the rule of law and will be met with a significant response," John Bolton said on Twitter.
He added: "Cuba’s support and control over Maduro’s security and paramilitary forces are well known".
Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10 when President Nicholas Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycott by the opposition.
On Wednesday, Guaido, the leader of Venezuela’s opposition-led National Assembly, declared himself acting president, a move immediately supported by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Maduro quickly shot back, cutting off diplomatic relations with Washington and giving U.S. diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.
He has repeatedly lashed out at the U.S., saying Washington is waging an economic war against him and his government amid a sweeping sanctions campaign.
Brazil and the Organization of American States recognized Guaido as Venezuela's leader prior to his formal announcement. Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama and Paraguay have followed suit while Bolivia and Mexico continue to recognize Maduro.
Several South American countries, Russia, Turkey, China and Iran have also expressed solidarity with Maduro.
European heavyweights -- including the U.K., Germany, France and Spain -- took a similar stance against Venezuela's elected president and called on Maduro to announce fresh elections within next eight days to ease the current political crisis in the south American nation.
Thousands of people took to the streets in Paris on Sunday to protest weeks of anti-government demonstrations by the Yellow Vests movement.The group -- called itself the Red Scarves -- gathered in Nation Square in Paris and marched to Bastille Square, chanting “enough” and “end the violence”.Laurent Soulie, a 51-year-old aeronautics engineer, told reporters on behalf of the group that the anger of the Yellow Vests was understood and legitimate, however, the violence during the protests was unacceptable.More than 10,000 people, most of them wearing red scarves, attended the march, according to Paris police.- Yellow Vest protestsThe Yellow Vest protests, which started in reaction to fuel tax hikes and evolved into a protest against French President Emmanuel Macron, have continued despite the government’s call for them to halt.Since Nov. 17, thousands of protesters wearing bright yellow vests-- dubbed the Yellow Vests -- have gathered in major French cities, including Paris, to protest Macron's controversial fuel tax hikes and the country’s deteriorating economic situation.Demonstrators held protests blocking roads as well as the entrances and exits to gas stations and factories across the country.Under pressure, Macron announced a rise in the minimum wage and scuttled the tax hikes.Since then, however, the protests have grown into a broader movement aimed at tackling income inequality and are calling for giving citizens a stronger voice in government decision-making.At least 10 people have died, around 6,000 have been detained and over 2,000 others have been injured in the protests.Israel recognizes Guaido as president of VenezuelaKRG shuts local TV over Turkish base attack in N Iraq
Thousands march against Yellow Vests in Paris
Turkish opposition party leader strongly on Sunday condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's “coup attempt” against Venezuelan president.“I strongly condemn Trump’s coup attempt against [Venezuelan President Nicolas] Maduro and I hope Venezuela survives this hardship without being dragged into civil war conditions,” Devlet Bahceli, head of opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said at his party’s group dinner in Istanbul.“To resist the oppressor means to stand with the right and truth,” Bahceli said.“It is my wish that Maduro does not surrender, bow down, and fall into the captivity of imperialism,” he went on to say.Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10 when President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycott by the opposition.On Wednesday, Juan Guaido, the leader of Venezuela’s opposition-led National Assembly, declared himself acting president.U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Guaido as president of the country.Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama and Paraguay have followed suit while Bolivia and Mexico continue to recognize Maduro.Russia and China both opposed the U.S. call to support Guaido, and condemned any international interference in the affairs of Venezuela. Turkey and Iran have also put their weight behind Maduro.
Turkish opposition slams Trump’s ‘coup bid’ in Venezuela