Bolton Threatens 'Significant' Response if US Diplomats Face Violence in Venezuela

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 28th January, 2019) The United States will take action if its diplomatic staff or self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido are threatened with violence in Venezuela, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Sunday.�

"Any violence and intimidation against U.S. diplomatic personnel, Venezuela's democratic leader, Juan Guiado, or the National Assembly itself would represent a grave assault on the rule of law and will be met with a significant response," Bolton said on Twitter.

On Wednesday, Guaido, the head of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself the country's interim president in a move that had been recognized by the United States, Canada and a number of other countries.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused Washington of orchestrating a coup in the Latin American country and said that Caracas was severing diplomatic ties with Washington, asking US diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours.

However, a representative of the US State Department has told Sputnik that Washington had no plans to close its embassy in Venezuela and would continue evaluating the situation "on the ground."