Venezuela Severs Diplomatic Ties With US, To Expel All Diplomatic, Consular Staff - Maduro

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2019) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Wednesday his decision to cut off diplomatic ties with Washington after Juan Guaido, the leader of the Venezuelan opposition-run parliament, self-proclaimed himself the country's acting president.

"I announce it before the people that, as a constitutional president, I decided to sever diplomatic and political relations with the US government," Maduro said.

"On this historical day, I sign a diplomatic note, giving 72 hours to all diplomatic and consular staff of the United States to leave the country," Maduro stated.

Earlier on Wednesday, Guaido sworn in as acting president surrounded by thousands of supporters at a rally in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. The Supreme Court of Venezuela said that all decisions that the opposition-controlled National Assembly might take would be considered invalid and called on the prosecutor's office to take the necessary measures against the lawmakers.