
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.