US President Donald Trump has said he recognises Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president.
It came minutes after the 35-year-old declared himself as acting leader in Caracas on Wednesday.
Tens of thousands of Venezuelans are taking to the streets in protest against President Nicolás Maduro.
Mr Maduro was sworn in for a second term earlier this month, after a poll considered a sham by much of the international community.
In response to Mr Trump’s recognition of the opposition leader, Mr Maduro gave all US diplomatic staff in Venezuela 72 hours to leave the country.
Venezuela has been in economic freefall for a number of years under his leadership.
Hyperinflation and key shortages, including of food, has forced millions out of the country.
What’s the latest?
Speaking in Caracas, Mr Guaidó told a cheering crowd that the protests would continue “until Venezuela is liberated”.
“I swear to formally assume the national executive powers as acting president,” he said, while raising his right hand.
Footage from Wednesday’s protests showed demonstrators facing off against National Guard security forces, tear gas being dispersed and vehicles on fire.
Mr Guaidó, who is head of the country’s National Assembly, has called on the armed forces – who have so far backed Mr Maduro – to disobey the government.
He has promised to lead a transition government and hold free elections.
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So much for noninterference in the affairs of other nations. Forward Ever! Backward Never! The Empire strikes back!
Long live the Empire!!!!!
Hey Browne, I await your statement on this one and you would have had some Swiss cheese.
Maduro has just been a straight up failure. I would rrally like to hear gim give his side of the stoey in an interview but he has not given anybody a reason to support him. He almost seems absent more than anything else. So, im afraid he is going ro be toppled.
@trutys and rights I would like to think he gave the ABLP a quarter billion reasons to support him.
Since the PM openly supports Caracas does it mean he oppose the US?
BIG MONEY MAYWEATHER HAS 50 WINS 27 KNOCK OUTS HE DID THIS BY CHOSING HIS OPPONENTS WISELY.
THE US HAS LEARNED FROM PAST EXPERIENCES THEY DO NOT FIGHT WARS THEY CANNOT WIN. THATS WHY CHINA, NORTH KOREA, RUSSIA ARE OFF LIMITS FOR COMBAT ACTION….OIL OIL OIL
THEY GO TO THE TABLE AND TALK. KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHOUT AND ÀND SPEAK ONLY WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
everyone that comes to your rescue is not necessarily your friend their motive for helping you might just be to butter you up to get you in bed…..
Just now they will back Harold Lovell as Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister
Perhaps we should recognize Hillary Clinton as the real President of the USA since she won the majority vote and as it looks now Trump stole the election with backing from Russia.
Why is the USA always trying to decide other people’s fate. Just to ensure that their own puppets are in power so they can huff up the oil from Venezuela and put more pressure on OPEC
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