Venezuelan opposition controls embassy in Costa Rica

By Hasan Esen

CARACAS (AA) - Venezuela’s Embassy in Costa Rica was taken over on Wednesday by an ambassador appointed by the opposition.

Maria Faria, who claims to have been appointed by self-proclaimed interim President Juan Guaido, entered the diplomatic building in San Jose early Wednesday, according to an embassy statement.

Faria said diplomatic staff appointed by President Nicolas Maduro were suspended and claimed new diplomats were recognized by the government of Costa Rica.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza reacted to the development on social media, saying "a group of foreigners entered the Venezuelan embassy in Costa Rica like thieves".

Costa Rica is among the countries that recognized Guaido and it urged Venezuelan diplomats to leave the country last month.

- Political unrest in Venezuela

Guaido declared himself acting president on Jan. 23 until new elections were held, and was recognized by Australia, Canada, Columbia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Argentina, Costa Rica and the U.S. The European Parliament took a step in the same direction.

Turkey, Russia, Iran, Cuba, China and Bolivia reiterate support for Maduro, who vowed to cut all diplomatic and politic ties with the U.S. following the diplomatic spat.

U.S. President Donald pointed to military intervention as a possible of a number of choices he could use to help solve the crisis.