US Special Envoy Says Ending Venezuela Crisis Necessitates Maduro's Resignation

The statement comes after Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido’s ambassador to the United States, Carlos Vecchio, told American lawmakers that they need to intensify pressure on Caracas.

According to US Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams, resolving the country's political crisis will only be possible after the resignation of Nicolas Maduro.

He also vowed to visit the region but didn't specify when exactly.

"There will be some travel, but nothing to announce right now", Abrams said on the sidelines of the Global Conference on the Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela. "I will certainly be travelling but I have nothing to announce".

READ MORE: Venezuelan Opposition, US Backers Hoped to Unseat Maduro in 24 Hours — Reports

When asked whether he plans to have contact with Russian officials to discuss Venezuela, Abrams said, "When I make plans, we’ll announce them".

"But nothing to say right now", the envoy told Sputnik in Washington on the sidelines of an aid conference for Venezuela.

The US government seized billions of dollars in Venezuelan oil assets after opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself the country’s interim president on 23 January, disputing Maduro's re-election, which took place last year. He was recognised by Washington and its allies, however, Russia, China, Mexico, Turkey, Uruguay and several other states re-affirmed their support for Maduro as the only legitimate president of Venezuela.