US diplomats refuse to leave Venezuela and may be left without electricity and gas.
US Embassy staff in Caracas could face cutoffs of basic electricity and gas services if they refuse to leave the country, declared the leader of Venezuela's Constituent Assembly, Diosdado Cabello; "They said they won't leave because they don't recognize Nicolás [Maduro]. It's possible that the electricity will go out in the area [of the Embassy] and the gas won't arrive, with so many problems in this country," declared the Assembly leader.
From the Russian news agency Sputnik News - US Embassy staff in Caracas risk losing access to basic services if they refuse to leave the country, declared the leader of Venezuela's Constituent Assembly, Diosdado Cabello.
Previously, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro severed diplomatic relations with the US after Donald Trump recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela's interim president. Maduro gave the US diplomatic team 72 hours to leave the country, in an announcement made while addressing his supporters from a balcony of the government palace.
"They said they won't leave because they don't recognize Nicolás [Maduro]. It's possible that the power will go out in the [Embassy] area and the gas won't arrive, with so many problems in this country," declared Diosdado Cabello.
According to him, "if there are no diplomatic relations, there are no privileges of any kind."
Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the country would take all necessary measures to hold accountable anyone who threatens the safety of American diplomats.
Political crisis in Venezuela
The situation in Venezuela has worsened considerably since Nicolás Maduro was reinstated to power on January 10th. The US, the European Union, and a group of Latin American countries have spoken out against Maduro's second term, calling him a "usurper" because they claim he was elected "fraudulently."
Opposition leader Juan Guaidó made a statement during a demonstration against the government of Nicolás Maduro and proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela. The US, the European Union, and a number of Latin American countries expressed support for Guaidó and the Venezuelan opposition.
Russia has stated that its position on recognizing Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela will not change, noting that the position of Western countries demonstrates how they view international law, sovereignty, and non-interference in the internal affairs of nations.