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.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
-
Political cartoons for November 27Cartoons Thursday's political cartoons include giving thanks, speaking American, and more
-
We Did OK, Kid: Anthony Hopkins’ candid memoir is a ‘page-turner’The Week Recommends The 87-year-old recounts his journey from ‘hopeless’ student to Oscar-winning actor
-
The Mushroom Tapes: a compelling deep dive into the trial that gripped AustraliaThe Week Recommends Acclaimed authors team up for a ‘sensitive and insightful’ examination of what led a seemingly ordinary woman to poison four people
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
