Venezuela crisis: US sends CHILLING warning amid RIOTS in streets – 'We WILL take action!'

The State Department has insisted it does not consider the President’s order to break relations or for US diplomats to leave as legal. In a retaliatory backlash, it said: “We will take appropriate actions to hold accountable anyone who endangers the safety and security of our mission and its personnel.” The news comes as rioters have poured through the capital of Caracas demanding the president resign.

Maduro’s actions come after US President Trump branded the current government as “illegitimate” and “officially recognised” opposition leader Juan Guaido as the new Venezuelan President.

While protestors have marched through the streets demanding Maduro’s resignation, leader of the opposition Juan Guaido swore himself in as acting president of Venezuela.

Trump said: “The citizens of Venezuela have suffered for too long at the hands of the illegitimate Maduro regime.

“Today, I have officially recognized the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaido, as the Interim President of Venezuela.”

READ MORE: Venezuela RIOTS: Tear gas and vehicles set on FIRE

In contradiction of Trump’s comments, Cuba has expressed its “firm support” for Venezuela’s Maduro after what it calls a “coup attempt.”

Maduro started a second term on January 10, following a widely-boycotted election last year that many foreign governments described as a sham.

Following America’s lead, Argentina, Guatemala, Brasil and Peru have all come out in support of opposition leader Guaido.

France was the first European country to comment on the crisis saying it was watching “closely” the events unfolding.

READ MORE: Venezuela CRISIS: Country on brink as failed military coup sparks riot

The EU Foreign Minister, Federica Mogherini said: “The EU strongly calls for the start of an immediate political process leading to free and credible elections, in conformity with the Constitutional order.”

She also added that the EU is in support of Venezuela’s national assembly as “the democratically elected institution whose powers need to be restored and respected.”

Maduro took power in 2013 after his mentor Chavez died but as the oil price sank and revenues dried up, the social welfare programs designed by Chavez faltered.

Any change of government, however, will rest on a shift in allegiance within the armed forces.

So far, they have stood by Maduro through two waves of street protests and a steady dismantling of democratic institutions.

U. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, however, called on the Venezuelan military to protect “the welfare and well-being of all Venezuelan citizens”.

source: express.co.uk