"Now the US govt [government] has turned off the water in the Venezuela Embassy to smoke us out. No lights, no water, little food. This is how Big Brother tries to crush other countries as well. We remain firm. Send love to #embassyprotectioncollective #HandsOffVenezeula," Benjamin wrote on Twitter.
Activists from the Embassy Protection Collective have been staying inside the embassy since April, with the permission of the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry. They support Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amid US-backed opposition's attempts to oust him from power. The activists' staying in the embassy is motivated by their desire to prevent representatives of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido from taking over the mission. Over the past week, clashes between activists occupying the embassy and Venezuelans camping outside the building escalated, resulting in nine arrests.
READ MORE: US Vessel Leaves Venezuelan Waters After Communicating With Country's Navy
Maduro, recognized by China and Russia among numerous other countries, has accused the United States of seeking to overthrow his government and install Guaido in a bid to get hold of Venezuela's natural resources.
Guaido made a fresh attempt to depose Maduro on April 30, staging a demonstration in front of La Carlota military base in Caracas. However, the attempt has "failed completely," as the Venezuelan government has put it.