Accusations of Plotting Coup in Venezuela ‘Baseless’

State Department spokesperson says that accusations that the United States and US Vice President Joe Biden in particular want to overthrow the government in Caracas made by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are groundless.

WASHINGTON, (Sputnik) — Accusations that the United States and US Vice President Joe Biden in particular want to overthrow the government in Caracas made by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are groundless, State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said Monday during a press briefing.

“We are talking about Maduro accusing the Vice President [Biden] of plotting to overthrow him, which obviously is a ludicrous and inaccurate accusation,” Psaki said. “These allegations are baseless and false.”

Last week Maduro said that Washington has orchestrated several plots against Venezuela, adding that opposition is currently plotting a coup with US backing.

Venezuelan president pointed that the country may soon be unable to maintain diplomatic relations with the United States.

Relations between Venezuela and the United States have been tense after socialist Hugo Chavez was elected president in 1999. Since 2010, the countries have refused to exchange ambassadors, and in 2014 Caracas ordered three US diplomats to leave the country based on suspicion of promoting violence.