"72 hours to leave the country": Maduro accused Washington of attempting a coup and broke off relations with the US

Venezuela breaks off diplomatic relations with the United States. This was stated by President Nicolas Maduro.

“I declare to the people that, as a constitutional president, I decided to sever diplomatic and political relations with the US government,” Maduro said. “On this historic day, I sign a diplomatic note, giving 72 hours to the entire US diplomatic corps to leave the country.”

According to him, Washington was directly involved in the coup.

Earlier, American leader Donald Trump recognized Juan Guaido, head of the National Assembly of Venezuela, as acting president.

Gauido himself stated that his task was to remove the current head of state, Nicolas Maduro.

“I swear to assume the authority of the executive branch of the country as the president of Venezuela and to achieve the cessation of the usurpation of power.” I accept the responsibility, according to the articles of the Constitution 333 and 350, and I promise not to resort to violence, ”quotes the words of the Guaydo Tass. He stressed that he was not afraid of possible criminal prosecution for his actions.

Article 333 of the Constitution states that the people of Venezuela must resist the violation of the fundamental law of the state. And in 350 it is said about the right to fight against those public authorities that contradict the principles of democracy and violate human rights.

A statement of acceptance of the presidency of President Guaido was made at an opposition rally in one of the districts of Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.

The protests began on Wednesday, January 23, and soon riots and clashes with the police escalated. According to the newspaper Comercio, which refers to the country's police, at least six people were killed during the demonstrations.

Guaido has already announced a march for providing humanitarian aid to the country, it will be held in the first week of February. This was announced by the portal Nacional.

Maduro said that the decision Guayido contrary to the Constitution and called the incident an attempted coup.

“We defend the right to the very existence of our Bolivarian Republic, our homeland. The government I head will defend the sovereignty of the country at all costs, ”Maduro said

In addition, the Supreme Court of Venezuela declared the invalidity of any decisions of the National Assembly. The Office sent an appeal to the Prosecutor General’s Office demanding to determine possible sanctions for representatives of parliament for “usurping the functions of the executive branch”.

In turn, the head of the National Constituent Assembly of Venezuela Disdado Cabello called for supporters of Maduro to take to the streets to protect the legitimate president of the country.

“Let's go all to the presidential palace to protect Maduro, let’s stay on the streets to protect Maduro and the Bolivarian revolution,” he said on the Telesur channel.

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“Legitimacy is confirmed from the outside”

In the modern political process, the legitimacy of such coup and orange revolutions is provided not by democratic and legal procedures, but by approval or disapproval from foreign countries, political scientist Alexander Asafov said in a conversation with RT.

“Legitimacy is confirmed from the outside; no, not even formal compliance with the country's legislation is required. The insurgents are simply deciding that now this is the new government and, upon receiving confirmation of legitimacy from the outside, in the eyes of the world community it becomes the subject of negotiations, ”he said.

So, Guaido as the president of Venezuela was recognized by the United States. The corresponding statement was made by the American leader Donald Trump.

“Venezuelan citizens have suffered for too long from the illegitimate regime of Maduro. Today I officially recognize as president of Venezuela the head of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, ”he wrote on his Twitter.

The citizens of Venezuela have been illegitimate for the Maduro regime. Today, Ian Juan Guaido, as the Interim President of the Venezuela. https://t.co/WItWPiG9jK

In addition to the United States, Argentina, Canada, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, as well as the Chairman of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, also recognized Guaydo as president.

“We welcome Juan Guaido as interim President of Venezuela in accordance with Article 233 of the Constitution. He has the support of our international community and the people of Venezuela, ”he wrote on his Twitter.

Nuestras felicitaciones a @jguaido como Presidente encargado de #Venezuela. Tiene todo nuestro reconocimiento para impulsar el retorno del país a la democracia # 23Ene # OEAconVzlapic.twitter.com / AWdjVHJtZj

At the same time, Bolivia and Mexico said that they continue to consider the head of Venezuela, the legitimately elected President Nicolas Maduro.

“We express our solidarity with the Venezuelan people and brother Nicolas Maduro during these crucial times, when the clutches of imperialism are again trying to inflict a mortal wound of democracy and self-determination of the peoples of South America,” said Bolivian President Evo Morales.

Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said that Madrid will wait for a unified position of the European Union and only after that will decide on recognizing or not recognizing Guayido as president.

"You can not make a decision in a temper without being well informed," he said.

And the head of the European Council, Donald Tusk, expressed the hope that Europe would speak out in support of the “democratic forces” in Venezuela.

At the same time, further development of events depends on who will be supported by the army, the police and other law enforcement agencies, said Asafov.

“Will the rebels succeed in attracting an army to their side, how will the army and other power structures behave? He holds a weapon in his hands, and he can begin to control the situation, ”he stressed.

Thus, the head of the Ministry of Defense of Venezuela, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, said that the army does not recognize the Guaido acting president and will continue to support Maduro as head of state.

“Soldiers of the motherland do not recognize the president, imposed on us under the influence of foreign interests and self-proclaimed outlaws. The armed forces defend the Constitution and are the guarantor of national sovereignty, ”he wrote on Twitter.

"The United States started a" regime change "

In Russia, it was recalled that every time, with the support of Washington, the state changes power, a period of instability begins in it.

"The United States launched a" regime change "in Venezuela. But the fact that Washington recognizes an alternative president does not mean that he is recognized by the people of Venezuela and everywhere in the world. Everywhere, where the USA made regime changes - from Iraq to Libya, collapse and chaos reigned. Venezuela is a new victim, ”he wrote on his Twitter.

The United States launched a "regime change" in Venezuela. But the fact that Washington recognizes an alternative president does not mean that he is recognized by the people of Vnesueeely and everywhere in the world. Everywhere, where the USA made regime changes - from Iraq to Libya, collapse and chaos reigned. Venezuela is a new victim.

The fact that Washington’s actions can be called direct interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela, said the head of the Federation Council’s international affairs committee, Konstantin Kosachev.

“All of the current US policy towards Venezuela, including Trump’s latest statements, is direct and unceremonious interference in its internal affairs,” he told reporters.

Asafov is convinced that if Guaido can take the upper hand in the fight against Maduro and gain a foothold as president, the new leadership of Venezuela will reorient its foreign policy towards the United States.

The “democratic” opposition will solemnly come to power, first of all, they will start building new relations with the United States, including providing American companies with access to hydrocarbon deposits and at the same time will avenge legitimate politicians, Asafov said.

The expert considers the scenario of a civil war likely. Philip Ingram, a former senior military intelligence officer, also made a similar warning in a conversation with RT.

In turn, the portal Nacional claims that the Venezuelan National Guard introduced armored vehicles to one of the areas in which the protesters gathered. At the same time, Maduro called the army to loyalty and unity.

“I ask the Bolivarian armed forces, the military of our country, to maximum loyalty, maximum unity, maximum discipline. This time we will win again. We will win this fight, ”he said.