Venezuela Foreign Minister Accuses US of Open Coup Attempt

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza accused the United States of openly planning a coup against Venezuela.

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The minister denounced the U.S. for its constant interventions and threats against Nicolas Maduro who was re-elected as president with a democratic vote in 2018 with 67 percent of the vote.

"It is striking to say that the U.S. government is not behind the coup attempt in Venezuela — it is AHEAD of it, on the vanguard, without any masks, or pretense. In Washington, they openly designed and executed the plan, giving orders to their governments and satellite actors around the world," Arreaza wrote on Twitter.

In an unconstitutional act, Juan Guaido, the president of the National Assembly, a body that has no legal authority since it is considered to be in judicial contempt, swore himself as president Wednesday morning. After this event, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized the illegal self-proclaimed president. The same was done by the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, who has instigated attacks against Venezuela and his government.

Following the U.S.' lead, several Latin American countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador recognized the usurper as the president.

On Wednesday, the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) urged the Prosecutor's Office to determine the responsibilities of the members of the National Assembly (AN), in contempt, for the usurping the powers of the executive.

Maduro, in response to the U.S., broke all diplomatic and political relations with the Donald Trump government and gave U.S. officials 72 hours to leave the country.

Meanwhile, countries like Cuba, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Mexico, Russia, Turkey, and China came out in support of the legitimate President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro.