"Pence met today with Carlos Vecchio, Ambassador of Venezuela to the United States, Julio Borges, Ambassador of Venezuela to the Lima Group, and other Venezuelan officials to express the strong support of the United States for the Venezuelan National Assembly and the government of President Juan Guaido," the release said on Tuesday.
Honored to welcome Amb. @CarlosVecchio, @JulioBorges & leaders of the free gov't of Venezuela to @WhiteHouse. The US strongly stands w/ the Venezuelan Nat'l Assembly & the gov't of Pres @Jguaido. We are committed to seeing democracy restored to VZ through free & fair elections. pic.twitter.com/bFSjSrMTsy
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) January 30, 2019
"The Vice President congratulated both Ambassadors on their confirmations by the National Assembly earlier today… and discussed recent sanctions actions," the release reads.
Previously Venezuelan Ambassador to Italy Isaias Rodriguez stated that not a single Venezuelan embassy in the world recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the leader of the country.
READ MORE: Venezuelan Supreme Court Bans Guaido From Leaving Country
Earlier this week, Venezuelan Prosecutor General Tarek Saab asked the Supreme Tribunal of Justice to introduce these preventive measures against Guaido.
US National Security Adviser John Bolton said Tuesday that the United States condemns Venezuelan prosecutors for threatening Guaido, and he warned of "serious consequences for those who attempt to subvert democracy and harm Guaido".
READ MORE: US Denounces Venezuela's Attorney General as 'Illegitimate' — Bolton
On 23 January, opposition leader and President of the National Assembly Juan Guaido declared himself the interim president of Venezuela. The United States and a number of Latin and Central American countries immediately backed the opposition leader, with Washington urging Maduro to step down.
Russia, Cuba, China, Turkey, among others, have reaffirmed its support for Maduro as the legitimately elected head of state.
