Caracas Engaged in Fully-Fledged Dialogue With Washington - Venezuelan FM

Earlier in the day, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told the RT news channel that Caracas was seeking to contain the United States as the force driving a multinational effort to unseat the government in the country.

"This is reality… we are actually conducting a dialogue… our teams will soon hold a meeting. We will continue to maintain contacts," Arreaza said at a press conference.

The senior official further noted that the member-states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) would meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday to call for a dialogue in Venezuela.

On Wednesday, the speaker of the opposition-led Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaido, declared himself interim head of state amid ongoing anti-government protests.

The US, together with several regional and European countries have recognised Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president.

READ MORE: Western-Backed Guaido Says Hopes US to Avoid Use of Force in Venezuela

Maduro announced last week his decision to cut diplomatic ties with the United States and ordered its diplomats out. He suggested setting up interest offices in each other’s countries. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Maduro did not have the authority to force US diplomats out. His office told Sputnik that the US embassy in Venezuela would not be closed.