Some U.S. diplomats leave Venezuela amid mounting tensions with Washington

Some U.S. diplomats stationed in Venezuela left the country Friday amid rising tensions between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the U.S, The Associated Press reports.

President Trump recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó's claim to power as the interim president of Venezuela on Wednesday, spurring Maduro to call home all Venezuelan diplomats from the U.S., close Venezuela’s D.C. embassy and order all U.S. diplomats to leave the country by the weekend, per Time.

Washington refused to abide by the last demand, saying it isn't legal since the U.S. no longer recognizes Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. Only nonessential U.S. staff left the country on Friday, citing security concerns.

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Venezuela's economy currently has the highest inflation rate in the world, and 75 percent of its people are impoverished and without sufficient food. At least 12 Latin American nations vowed not to recognize Maduro's administration after he won a controversial election last year giving him another six-year term.