"We will also ask [the European Union] to protect our assets in Europe. I'll say it once again: the money of the Venezuelan people will not be stolen", Guaido said late on Saturday in an address for his supporters, as quoted by Nacional newspaper.
He also announced that in the coming days, a new leadership would be appointed at Citgo.
On Monday, the United States blocked all assets of PDVSA in its jurisdiction amid political crisis in Venezuela, which the country's constitutionally elected president Nicolas Maduro, accuses Washington of orchestrating the state coup.
READ MORE: Venezuela Halts Gold Sales as US, UK Target Caracas' Hard Assets — Report
The United States has also imposed a ban on deals with the company, claiming that it was acting in the interests of the people of Venezuela. Maduro has slammed the move as unlawful and has also accused Washington of attempts to "steal" Citgo.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini said Thursday that the EU countries have decided to set up an international contact group on Venezuelan crisis. According to Mogherini, the group will be coordinated by the European Union and will be operating for a limited time frame of 90 days. After this period, the results of the group’s work would be assessed and it would be terminated in the absence of sufficient progress.
READ MORE: Bank of England Denial to Return Gold to Venezuela 'Warning for Others' — Expert
The contact group’s work will be aimed at creating a common understanding of the situation Venezuela by key international players and will seek peaceful resolution of the current crisis in the South American country.
The United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain declared on 26 January their intention to recognize the head of opposition-controlled National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, as the country’s interim president if Caracas does not announce new elections within eight days.
Russia, China, Mexico, Uruguay, Iran, Turkey and other countries, have expressed support for the Maduro government as Venezuela’s only legitimate authority.
READ MORE: Venezuela Has Right to Sell Gold, Russia Has Nothing to Do With It — Kremlin
