The Russian government said today that "foreign interference in Venezuela was path to lawlessness and bloodshed" after four people died in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-regional-powers-recognise-maduro-opponent-as-venezuela-leader-192345">clashes in Caracas</a> to protest against President Nicolas Maduro regime.

Trouble erupted for Maduro after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-weighs-oil-sanctions-on-venezuela-as-it-steps-up-pressure-192379">President Trump formally recognised</a> opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela leading Maduro to sever ties with the US. The move was backed by Brazil, Columbia including US ally Canada.

"This is a direct path to lawlessness and bloodshed," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;

Protests also broke out in Dominican Republic and Argentina as people protested against Maduro. Other Latin American countries Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Peru came out in support of Guaido.

In a statement, Trump said the United States would continue to use economic and diplomatic power to press for "the restoration of Venezuelan democracy."

As events began to turn, in a televised speech, Maduro accused the opposition of seeking to stage a coup with the support of the United States. As the crisis escalated, people took to the streets in the Venezuelan capital.

Juan Guaido declared himself "interim president" amid the confusion.

President Maduro was elected last year with 67.84 per cent votes, and he took over the reins on January 10th but the election result was viewed with suspicion by several people in the country and abroad.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States would cooperate with other members of the international community to deal with the situation in Venezuela.

The Russian government said today that "foreign interference in Venezuela was path to lawlessness and bloodshed" after four people died in clashes in Caracas to protest against President Nicolas Maduro regime.

The Russian government said today that "foreign interference in Venezuela was path to lawlessness and bloodshed" after four people died in clashes in Caracas to protest against President Nicolas Maduro regime. Trouble erupted for Maduro after President Trump formally recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela leading Maduro to sever ties with the US. The move was backed by Brazil, Columbia including US ally Canada. "This is a direct path to lawlessness and bloodshed," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. Protests also broke out in Dominican Republic and Argentina as people protested against Maduro. Other Latin American countries Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Peru came out in support of Guaido. In a statement, Trump said the United States would continue to use economic and diplomatic power to press for "the restoration of Venezuelan democracy." As events began to turn, in a televised speech, Maduro accused the opposition of seeking to stage a coup with the support of the United States. As the crisis escalated, people took to the streets in the Venezuelan capital. Juan Guaido declared himself "interim president" amid the confusion. President Maduro was elected last year with 67.84 per cent votes, and he took over the reins on January 10th but the election result was viewed with suspicion by several people in the country and abroad. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States would cooperate with other members of the international community to deal with the situation in Venezuela.

Foreign interference in Venezuela path to lawlessness and bloodshed: Russia

4 dead in rallies against Venezuela's Maduro in Caracas

US Vice President Mike Pence issued a video message of support to Venezuelans on Tuesday to encourage <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-military-group-rises-against-maduro-arrested-191964">those who are protesting against President Nicolas Maduro</a> and underline US backing for opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Venezuela's opposition on Wednesday plans to hold marches nationwide as part of an annual event that marks the fall of a military government in 1958. Government critics are increasingly comparing Maduro to dictator Marcos Perez, who was pushed from power that year.

In a taped video message in English with a few Spanish words and phrases mixed in, Pence, who has lashed out at Maduro before, declared him a "dictator" who has no rightful claim to power.

"On behalf of President Donald Trump and all the American people, let me express the unwavering support of the United States as you, the people of Venezuela, raise your voices in a call for freedom," Pence said after offering a greeting of "hola," which means "hello" in Spanish.

"Nicolas Maduro is a dictator with no legitimate claim to power. He has never won the presidency in a free and fair election, and has maintained his grip of power by imprisoning anyone who dares to oppose him."

Pence declared US support again for Guaido, with whom he spoke by phone earlier this month, and the National Assembly, which he leads, as the "last vestige of democracy." Pence said Washington supported Guaido's decision to assert the body's powers, declare Maduro a "usurper" and push for a transitional government to be established.

"As you make your voices heard tomorrow, on behalf of the American people, we say to all the good people of Venezuela: estamos con ustedes," Pence said, following up with the translation in English: "We are with you, we stand with you, and we will stay with you until democracy is restored and you reclaim your birthright of libertad."

Maduro was inaugurated on January 10 amid worldwide criticism that his leadership was illegitimate after a 2018 election that was widely viewed as fraudulent.

In response to Pence's comments, Maduro accused him of trying to force a coup and said he had ordered a revision of Venezuela's diplomatic relations with the United States.

"Never before has a high-level official said that the opposition should overthrow the government," Maduro told a news conference. The US embassy in Caracas did not respond to a request to comment.

Pence has largely taken the lead within the Trump administration in condemning Maduro. He called the inauguration a sham and made clear the United States did not recognise the election result.

US Vice President Mike Pence issued a video message of support to Venezuelans on Tuesday to encourage those who are protesting against President Nicolas Maduro and underline US backing for opposition leader Juan Guaido.

US Vice President Mike Pence issued a video message of support to Venezuelans on Tuesday to encourage those who are protesting against President Nicolas Maduro and underline US backing for opposition leader Juan Guaido. Venezuela's opposition on Wednesday plans to hold marches nationwide as part of an annual event that marks the fall of a military government in 1958. Government critics are increasingly comparing Maduro to dictator Marcos Perez, who was pushed from power that year. In a taped video message in English with a few Spanish words and phrases mixed in, Pence, who has lashed out at Maduro before, declared him a "dictator" who has no rightful claim to power. "On behalf of President Donald Trump and all the American people, let me express the unwavering support of the United States as you, the people of Venezuela, raise your voices in a call for freedom," Pence said after offering a greeting of "hola," which means "hello" in Spanish. "Nicolas Maduro is a dictator with no legitimate claim to power. He has never won the presidency in a free and fair election, and has maintained his grip of power by imprisoning anyone who dares to oppose him." Pence declared US support again for Guaido, with whom he spoke by phone earlier this month, and the National Assembly, which he leads, as the "last vestige of democracy." Pence said Washington supported Guaido's decision to assert the body's powers, declare Maduro a "usurper" and push for a transitional government to be established. "As you make your voices heard tomorrow, on behalf of the American people, we say to all the good people of Venezuela: estamos con ustedes," Pence said, following up with the translation in English: "We are with you, we stand with you, and we will stay with you until democracy is restored and you reclaim your birthright of libertad." Maduro was inaugurated on January 10 amid worldwide criticism that his leadership was illegitimate after a 2018 election that was widely viewed as fraudulent. In response to Pence's comments, Maduro accused him of trying to force a coup and said he had ordered a revision of Venezuela's diplomatic relations with the United States. "Never before has a high-level official said that the opposition should overthrow the government," Maduro told a news conference. The US embassy in Caracas did not respond to a request to comment. Pence has largely taken the lead within the Trump administration in condemning Maduro. He called the inauguration a sham and made clear the United States did not recognise the election result.

Hola, I'm Mike Pence: US VP encourages Venezuelans to protest against President Maduro

A dozen intelligence service agents were sent to prison by a Venezuelan court Wednesday over the brief detention of parliamentary president Juan Guaido, a judicial source said.

The Caracas court remanded the agents in pre-trial detention after they were accused of "abuse of functions, illegitimate deprivation of liberty and association to commit a crime."

Guaido was heading to a political rally outside the Venezuelan capital on Sunday when his car was stopped on a highway and he was briefly detained by the SEBIN agents.

President Nicolas Maduro's government denied any knowledge of the operation and initially claimed that four agents involved had been dismissed.

Maduro branded the whole incident a "media circus" and accused the agents of conspiring with Venezuela's opposition.

Guaido, meanwhile, responded by mocking Maduro and questioning his control over the state's security agencies.

"So Maduro no longer controls the armed forces because the chain of command was broken," said Guaido.

"Who is commanding the regime now? If they're already admitting that they don't control the state's security agencies, there's a serious problem at Miraflores," he added, referring to the presidential palace.

Guaido has been trying to attract support from the military as he leads the opposition bid to remove Maduro from power and set up a transitional government.

But Maduro retains the backing of the military's high command, which last week pledged "absolute loyalty."&nbsp;

Guaido has promised an "amnesty" for any military that disavow Maduro and has called for a people's protest next week.

The opposition-controlled National Assembly, which he leads, has been left ineffective since the Maduro loyalist-filled Supreme stripped it of all its powers in 2017.

A dozen intelligence service agents were sent to prison by a Venezuelan court Wednesday over the brief detention of parliamentary president Juan Guaido, a judicial source said.

A dozen intelligence service agents were sent to prison by a Venezuelan court Wednesday over the brief detention of parliamentary president Juan Guaido, a judicial source said. The Caracas court remanded the agents in pre-trial detention after they were accused of "abuse of functions, illegitimate deprivation of liberty and association to commit a crime." Guaido was heading to a political rally outside the Venezuelan capital on Sunday when his car was stopped on a highway and he was briefly detained by the SEBIN agents. President Nicolas Maduro's government denied any knowledge of the operation and initially claimed that four agents involved had been dismissed. Maduro branded the whole incident a "media circus" and accused the agents of conspiring with Venezuela's opposition. Guaido, meanwhile, responded by mocking Maduro and questioning his control over the state's security agencies. "So Maduro no longer controls the armed forces because the chain of command was broken," said Guaido. "Who is commanding the regime now? If they're already admitting that they don't control the state's security agencies, there's a serious problem at Miraflores," he added, referring to the presidential palace. Guaido has been trying to attract support from the military as he leads the opposition bid to remove Maduro from power and set up a transitional government. But Maduro retains the backing of the military's high command, which last week pledged "absolute loyalty." Guaido has promised an "amnesty" for any military that disavow Maduro and has called for a people's protest next week. The opposition-controlled National Assembly, which he leads, has been left ineffective since the Maduro loyalist-filled Supreme stripped it of all its powers in 2017.

Venezuelan court jails intelligence service agents over detained parliament president

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Foreign interference in Venezuela path to lawlessness and bloodshed: Russia

4 dead in rallies against Venezuela's Maduro in Caracas

Hola, I'm Mike Pence: US VP encourages Venezuelans to protest against President Maduro

Venezuelan court jails intelligence service agents over detained parliament president