The United States will withdraw all diplomatic personnel who remain in their embassy in Caracas amid a worsening Venezuelan crisis, said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday night.
The decision reflects the deterioration of the situation in #Venezuela, in addition to the fact that the presence of US diplomatic personnel in the embassy has become a limitation for US policy,”
tweeted Pompeo.
On January 23rd, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the breakdown of diplomatic relations with the United States, which recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president, and ordered the departure of all US diplomats from the country. Washington challenged the legitimacy of the Venezuelan president by refusing to obey.
On January 24th, the State Department ordered the return of all “non-essential” government workers destined to Venezuela and the relatives of the diplomats. It also advised US citizens to leave the oil country.
The Venezuelan opposition called for a new demonstrations on the fifth day of a massive blackout that has paralyzed the country, deepening the food and health crisis.