With security worries mounting, the State Department orders non-essential diplomats and staff at the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela to leave the country.
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The Latest: Russian officials condemn Venezuela protestsCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Latest on the political crisis in Venezuela (all times local): 4 a.m. Russian officials and senior lawmakers have reacted angrily to opposition protests in Venezuela that support opposition leader Juan Guaido's claim to the presidency. Alexei Pushkov, chairman of the information committee at the Federation Council, on Thursday called Guaido's declaration 'an attempted coup' backed by the U.S. Russia has been propping up incumbent President Nicolas Maduro, who took office for a second term earlier this month, with arms deliveries and loans. Maduro visited Moscow in December, seeking Russia's political support and financial support. 'It's impossible to imagine that this was spontaneous,' Pushkov said on state-owned Rossiya 24 television station, referring to the opposition protests. 'That was a pre-planned action, and it was certainly coordinated by the United States.' President Donald Trump has promised to use the 'full weight' of U.S. economic and diplomatic power to push for the restoration of Venezuela's democracy. Pushkov warned that the showdown between Maduro and Guaido 'could lead to a civil conflict, even civil war.' Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the Federation Council's foreign affairs committee, in a Facebook post on Thursday accused the U.S. of 'inciting protests' in Venezuela.
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