WASHINGTON.- The United States government on Thursday ordered the evacuation of all its non-essential personnel from Venezuela after the President of Venezuela gave them 72 hours to leave Venezuela.
In a security alert, the US State Department also recommended that Americans residing or traveling in Venezuela «strongly consider departing» the country while commercial flights remain available.
For Americans who choose to stay in Venezuela, the government recommended «ensure you have adequate supplies to shelter in place.»
The US Embassy in Caracas will remain open for the next few hours, albeit with «limited capacity to provide emergency services to US citizens in Venezuela.»
Nicolas Maduro ordered on Wednesday the departure of all US diplomatic personnel in the country, after US president Donald Trump, recognized the self-proclaimed Venezuelan president, Juan Guaido, as the legitimate leader.
The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, responded that the US would not withdraw its staff because they did not accept the authority of Maduro, whom he called «ex-president.»
«The United States maintains diplomatic relations with Venezuela and will conduct our relations with Venezuela through the government of interim President Guaido, who has invited our mission to remain in Venezuela,» Pompeo said.
On Thursday, Maduro reiterated his decision, which he maintains «with firmness», to break diplomatic and political relations «with the imperialist government of Donald Trump, and expel all his diplomatic personnel» from Venezuela.
«They have until Sunday, that is their 72-hour deadline to leave Venezuela. To get out of Venezuela» insisted Maduro, who also ordered the closure of the Venezuelan embassy and all consulates his country has in the USA.
