Nice embassy … be a shame if something were to happen to it.
That’s the message loyalists of Venezuelan “president” Nicolas Maduro are sending to US diplomats now that President Trump has publicly backed Maduro’s opponent, Juan Guaido, as the nation’s legitimate leader.
“They say they don’t recognize Nicolas. OK. Maybe the electricity will go out in that neighborhood, or the gas won’t arrive,” said Diosdado Cabello, the head of Venezuela’s Maduro-aligned Constituent Assembly, according to Bloomberg.
Cabello was referring to the Valle Arriba neighborhood in the nation’s capital, Caracas, where the US Embassy is situated.
“If there are no diplomatic relations, no problems,” he added.
Maduro on Wednesday gave US diplomats until Saturday afternoon to leave the country.
But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shot back that Maduro no longer has any authority and the diplos are staying put.
“We call on the Venezuelan military and security forces to continue protecting the welfare and well-being of all Venezuelan citizens, as well as US and other foreign citizens in Venezuela. The United States will take appropriate actions to hold accountable anyone who endangers the safety and security of our mission and its personnel,” Pompeo said Wednesday night.
The hilltop embassy, visible from much of Caracas, features an underground complex that could be used as a bunker.