"The security of interim President Guaido is a concern", Abrams told reporters Wednesday as quoted by Reuters. "The regime has not acted against him in some time and I hope that is because they recognize that he has the support of the vast majority of Venezuelans and that would be an extremely foolish move for the regime to make", US Special Envoy said.
Abrams also said Wednesday that the United States is looking around the world for more assets of the Venezuelan government, including bank accounts and gold holdings.
On 23 January, head of Venezuela's National Assembly Juan Guaido declared himself the country's interim president amid the ongoing anti-government protests. The United States and a number of other countries, which disputed last year’s re-election of Maduro, have recognized Guaido's leadership.
READ MORE: Maduro: Bolton Prohibited Trump From Initiating Dialogue With Me (EXCLUSIVE)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called Guaido a "US puppet" and accused Washington, which has stated that it has all options on the table to respond to the crisis, of organizing a coup in the Latin American country.
Russia, Mexico, and NATO-member Turkey are among those countries that continue to recognize President Nicholas Maduro, who was recently sworn in for a second term in office.
Meanwhile, Juan Guaido thanked Wednesday US President Donald Trump for support, expressed during a telephone conversation and in a separate statement said that he would convene a press conference on Friday to discuss the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Latin American country.
Agradezco la llamada del Presidente de los Estados Unidos, Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump, quien reiteró completo respaldo a nuestra labor democrática, compromiso con la ayuda humanitaria y reconocimiento de su administración a nuestra presidencia (E).
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) 30 января 2019 г.
"[Venezuelan President Nicolas] Maduro does not recognize the emergency humanitarian situation, when 90 percent of [people living in] the country want changes […] On Friday there will be a press conference, dedicated to the delivery of humanitarian aid", told TV Venezuela broadcaster after being asked when the humanitarian aid would reach Venezuela.
According to Reuters, Mark Green, head of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), spoke with Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido on Wednesday. US officials will continue to coordinate with Guaido's team about the creation of a specific plan in the upcoming days to meet the country's humanitarian needs, Mark Green's spokesman said, cited by Reuters.
READ MORE: Trump, Guaido Agree to Keep Contact 'to Support Venezuela's Path to Stability'
More than 3 million Venezuelans have fled the country to escape an economic collapse, food shortages and hyperinflation, which have led to protests by a segment of te population demanding Maduro’s resignation.
READ MORE: Venezuelan Opposition Won't Have Any Dialogue With Maduro — Guaido's Envoy to US
