'We never accept foreign interference in Venezuela'

By Ismail Cimen

ANKARA (AA) - The head of Turkish-Venezuelan inter-parliamentary friendship group said on Friday that they would never accept the interference of global and imperialist powers in Venezuela.

"We sincerely indicate that we are with the Venezuelan people and Mr. Maduro," Serkan Bayram told Anadolu Agency, referring the country's elected President Nicolas Maduro.

"We never accept the interference of global and imperialist powers to expel Maduro and his government, which came to the power by public will," he said.

Bayram recalled that Turkey would continue "its resolute stance against all coup attempts under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan."

"We also decline the sanction decision on Maduro and his relatives," he added.

Tensions escalated this week after Juan Guaido, leader of Venezuela’s opposition-led National Assembly, declared himself interim president, directly challenging the authority of the country’s elected president, Nicolas Maduro.

On Wednesday, the U.S. recognized Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing feud between Washington and Maduro.

Maduro has slammed the U.S. decision, vowing to suspend Venezuela’s relations with Washington and giving American diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.

On Thursday, Maduro announced the withdrawal of its diplomatic personnel from the U.S., saying they will return on Saturday after the closure of its embassy and consulates in the country.

Brazil and the Organization of American States recognized Guaido as Venezuela's leader prior to his formal announcement. Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama and Paraguay have followed suit while Bolivia and Mexico continue to recognize Maduro.