Venezuela Opposition Seizes 3 Diplomatic Buildings in U.S.

By Nawal Sayed

CAIRO, March 19 (SEE) – Envoys loyal to Venezuela's interim president, Juan Guaido, have taken control of two diplomatic buildings and a consulate in the United States.

Caracas has severed ties with the US, accusing it of staging a coup against acting President Nicolas Maduro.

Guaido's US envoy, Carlos Vecchio, said that 12 out of 55 staff members at the diplomatic properties decided to remain in the US, throwing their support behind Guaido.

Vecchio said the opposition had gained control of two buildings belonging to Venezuela's defense ministry in Washington and one consular building in New York.

He expected to take control of Venezuela's embassy in Washington "in the days to come."

[caption id="attachment_41462" align="aligncenter" width="626"] Carlos Vecchio (L), the envoy to the United States of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, replaces a picture of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro with a picture of Guaido after supporters of Guaido took control of the office of Venezuela's military attache in Washington, U.S. March 18, 2019. REUTERS/Gershon Peaks[/caption]

"We are taking these steps in order to preserve the assets of the Venezuelans here in this country," Vecchio said from one of the buildings, the office of Venezuela's military attache to Washington, after removing a portrait of Maduro from the wall and replacing it with one of Guaido.

Earlier this year, Venezuela's military attache to the US became one of the first military officials to recognize Guaido.

Many more have followed in his footsteps. Up to 1,000 members of Venezuela's security and armed forces have fled to the Colombia since February, according to Bogota.

In January, president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly Guaido declared himself president of Venezuela in a stunning move that undermined Maduro's authority in the country.

The US immediately recognized him as the legitimate president of the oil-rich, cash-strapped country.

Shortly after, Germany and other Western countries recognized him. But Maduro's regime continues to enjoy support from countries such as Russia, China and Turkey.

[caption id="attachment_41465" align="aligncenter" width="630"] A combination of two photos shows Carlos Vecchio (L), the envoy to the United States of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, and an aide take down a picture of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (top photo) and replace it with a picture of Guaido (bottom photo) in these frame grabs from video after supporters of Guaido took control of the office of Venezuela's military attache in Washington, U.S. March 18, 2019. REUTERS/Gershon Peaks[/caption]

In a quick reaction to this move, U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters the United States was "pleased to support these requests."

On the other side, Venezuela's foreign ministry called on U.S. authorities to "take the necessary measures to immediately reverse this forcible occupation" of its diplomatic offices, according to a statement issued Tuesday.

"The transfer of possession violated international law on the protection of diplomatic properties," the statement read.

Maduro branded Guaido a U.S. puppet seeking to oust him in a coup.

In a related context, Venezuela has suspended its oil exports to India and views Russia and China as its main export destinations, the Azeri energy ministry said on Tuesday, citing Venezuela's oil minister.