All remaining U.S. diplomats in Venezuela have left the South American country, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Thursday.
“I know it is a difficult time for them,” he said in a statement. “They are fully dedicated to our mission of supporting the Venezuelan people’s aspirations to live in a democracy and build a better future for their families. U.S. diplomats will now continue that mission from other locations.”
The U.S. and its allies have demanded Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who the U.S. no longer recognizes as the country’s leader, hand over power to opposition leader Juan Guaido.
The U.S. looks forward “to returning to a free & democratic Venezuela,” Pompeo said in the announcement.
Pompeo also addressed the Venezuelan people in a video, saying the U.S. is trying to provide them with humanitarian assistance such as food or medicine, but Maduro’s regime “has prevented that.”
.@SecPompeo: “I have a message for the Venezuelan people—the American people are with you.” pic.twitter.com/RLNB0iRw5Q
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 14, 2019
The secretary of state announced earlier this week all remaining diplomats would be removed from the country, citing the “deteriorating situation.” He said America’s diplomatic presence has “become a constraint on U.S. policy.”
The U.S. has an embassy in Caracas.
