Maduro Cuts Off Ties With US, Gives Diplomats 72 Hours to Leave

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (C), speaks to a crowd of supporters flanked by his wife Cilia Flores (2-L), Venezuelan Vice-president Delcy Rodriguez (R) the head of Venezuela's Constituent Assembly Diosdado Cabello, along with other members of the government, to announce his is breaking off diplomatic ties with the United States, during a gathering in Caracas on Jan. 23, 2019. Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is giving American diplomats 72 hours to leave the country after breaking diplomatic relations with the United States over its decision to recognize an opposition leader as interim president.

“Before the people and nations of the world, and as constitutional president.....I’ve decided to break diplomatic and political relations with the imperialist U.S. government,” Maduro told a crowd of red-shirted supporters gathered at the presidential palace.

He made the announcement following a tumultuous day that saw Juan Guaido, the head of the opposition-controlled congress, declare himself interim president and call elections.

Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido declares himself the country's "acting president" during a mass opposition rally against leader Nicolas Maduro, on the anniversary of 1958 uprising that overthrew military dictatorship in Caracas on Jan. 23, 2019. -Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images

The move was immediately backed by the Trump administration, which said it was willing to use all its economic and diplomatic power to restore Venezuela’s democracy.

In a Jan. 23 statement from the White House, Trump said Guaidó, the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly was the only “legitimate branch of government duly elected by the Venezuelan people.”

Venuezula is one of three socialist countries dubbed by the Trump administration as the “Troika of Tyranny“ which includes Cuba and Nicaragua. In a November speech, national security adviser John Bolton described the countries as a ”triangle of terror” and imposed sanctions on Venezuela and Cuba, while vowing to punish Nicaragua.

Vice President Mike Pence delivered a video message of support on Jan. 22, to the people of Venezuela who are protesting against Maduro.

In Pence’s taped message he lambasted Maduro, describing him as a dictator who has no rightful claim to power.

Pence called out Maduro’s regime and urged Venezuelans to ramp up their protests.

“On behalf of President Donald Trump and all the American people, let me express the unwavering support of the United States as you, the people of Venezuela, raise your voices in a call for freedom,” he said in the video.

“Nicolas Maduro is a dictator with no legitimate claim to power. He has never won the presidency in a free and fair election, and has maintained his grip of power by imprisoning anyone who dares to oppose him.”

Venezuela’s opposition supporters held marches nationwide on Jan. 23, as part of an annual event that marks the fall of a military government in 1958. Government critics are increasingly comparing Maduro to dictator Marcos Perez, who was ousted from power that year.

Venezuelan opposition supporters take part in a march on the anniversary of 1958 uprising that overthrew military dictatorship in Caracas, on Jan. 23, 2019. Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images

President Donald Trump has been asked whether the United States would use military action in Venezuela to support the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro and his response was ambiguous.

“We are not considering anything, but all options are on the table,” Trump told reporters following a roundtable discussion at the White House on medical costs.

The comment came after his administration announced it would recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president over Maduro.

Trump did not clarify what he meant by “all options.”

His administration has imposed several rounds of sanctions aimed at pressuring the government of Venezuela.

Venezuelan opposition supporters take to the streets to protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, on Jan. 23, 2019. Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images

Three South American nations are recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president.

The leaders of Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay all quickly expressed their support after Guaido took a symbolic oath before thousands of supporters.

Colombia President Ivan Duque said his nation would accompany Guaido “in this process of transition toward democracy.”

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro also said that he would support the 35-year-old lawmaker “so that peace and democracy return to Venezuela.”

Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez said on Twitter that his country supported Venezuela’s interim President Juan Guaido. “Count on us to embrace freedom and democracy again,” Abdo Benitez said.

Guaido says it is his right under Venezuela’s constitution to take over the presidency until new elections can be called.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was sworn into a contested second term two weeks ago in a move condemned by dozens of nations.

The Epoch Times Reporter Bowen Xiao contributed to this report.