The US State Department keeps the diplomatic missions in Venezuela open only with an emergency squat. In addition, Americans in the country seriously consider leaving the country – or stock up on supplies.
In a security warning, the State Department in Washington has ordered that all non-urgent US diplomats in Venezuela should leave the country. It also called on all American citizens in Venezuela to seriously consider leaving the country. The diplomatic missions could only help to a limited extent in emergencies.
The background is the persistent political conflict in the country: On Wednesday, parliamentary leader Juan Guaidó had declared himself Interim President and openly challenged President Nicolás Maduro. US President Donald Trump recognized Guaidó as the country’s legitimate interim president. Then Maduro had expelled the country’s US diplomats and given them time until Sunday.
A short time later, however, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had initially stated that the US would not follow the instructions to withdraw all diplomats: „The regime of former President Nicolás Maduro is not legitimate, so we regard all his statements and actions as illegitimate and invalid . “
Now, at least in part, the US is withdrawing its diplomats. The State Department’s Security Alert also states that US citizens should consider leaving Venezuela while there are commercial flights. Those who decide to stay, should invest sufficient stocks.
Maduro accuses USA of organizing „coup“
The situation in Venezuela has been steadily worsening since Monday’s failed National Guard uprising. In protests against Maduro and riots, 26 people have been killed since the beginning of the week, according to the non-governmental organization Social Conflict Observatory.
The USA, the EU and numerous Latin American countries recognize Guaidó as the legitimate head of state. Maduro, on the other hand, can count on the support of the powerful military and its allies in Russia, Iran, Turkey, Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua.
Maduro thanked the military on Thursday for their support and accused the United States of organizing „a coup d’état“ in Venezuela. He announced to close the embassy of his country and all consulates in the US.
At the same time, he was open for talks with the opposition in the country. On Twitter, Maduro wrote: „We support the proposal of the governments of Mexico and Uruguay to launch a new international initiative for a dialogue between the political forces in Venezuela in order to seek an agreement under the Constitution, stability and peace for all Venezuelans guaranteed. “
Guaidó said on the night of Friday that he would consider amnesty for Maduro and his followers – if they helped to re-establish democracy in Venezuela.
