U.S. seeking to drain money from Maduro's government
Many nations are weighing in on Venezuela's political crisis, which has led to some diplomatic tensions.
For more on this and other news around the world we turn to our Ro Aram…
Aram… what's the latest?
Well Mark… The U.S. is backing the country's opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president.
Washington is also seeking to ensure that Venezuelan oil revenue goes to Guaido in a bid to drain money from the increasingly isolated President Nicolas Maduro.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said the U.S. would provide humanitarian aid to struggling Venezuelans.
"Today I'm announcing that the United States is ready to provide more than 20 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela. These funds are to help them cope with a severe food. Food and medicine shortages and other dire impacts of their country's political and economic crisis.
Several South American, African and Western nations have joined the U.S. in supporting Guaido as interim president.
Russia, one of Venezuela's closest allies in the region, condemned foreign powers for backing the opposition leader.
Russia's foreign minister warned such a move would make things worse in Venezuela.
"The fact that the United States and a number of other countries, first of all regional ones, immediately recognised the new self-proclaimed interim president only means that they have directly participated in an artificial creation of dual power (in Venezuela) which is fraught with chaos and a serious destabilisation of domestic political situation."
Mexico, Bolivia, Cuba, as well as Turkey have all expressed support for President Maduro.
China, a major investor in Venezuela, said it opposed any outside interference.
For more on this and other news around the world we turn to our Ro Aram…
Aram… what's the latest?
Well Mark… The U.S. is backing the country's opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president.
Washington is also seeking to ensure that Venezuelan oil revenue goes to Guaido in a bid to drain money from the increasingly isolated President Nicolas Maduro.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said the U.S. would provide humanitarian aid to struggling Venezuelans.
"Today I'm announcing that the United States is ready to provide more than 20 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela. These funds are to help them cope with a severe food. Food and medicine shortages and other dire impacts of their country's political and economic crisis.
Several South American, African and Western nations have joined the U.S. in supporting Guaido as interim president.
Russia, one of Venezuela's closest allies in the region, condemned foreign powers for backing the opposition leader.
Russia's foreign minister warned such a move would make things worse in Venezuela.
"The fact that the United States and a number of other countries, first of all regional ones, immediately recognised the new self-proclaimed interim president only means that they have directly participated in an artificial creation of dual power (in Venezuela) which is fraught with chaos and a serious destabilisation of domestic political situation."
Mexico, Bolivia, Cuba, as well as Turkey have all expressed support for President Maduro.
China, a major investor in Venezuela, said it opposed any outside interference.