01:38Venezuela: Embattled Maduro arrives at Supreme Court amid turmoil
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived at the Supreme Court of Justice in Caracas on Thursday ahead of announcing the closing of Venezuela's embassy and consulates in the United States.
It comes a day after severing diplomatic ties with the US over Washington's recognition of opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president.
The political crisis in Venezuela escalated on Wednesday, when opposition leader and head of the National Assembly Juan Guaido declared Maduro's January 10 inauguration illegitimate and swore himself in as interim president, prompting both pro and anti-government protests.
Within 24 hours, a number of countries, including the United States, recognised Guaido's presidency, prompting Maduro to cut diplomatic ties with Washington and give American diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.
01:38Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived at the Supreme Court of Justice in Caracas on Thursday ahead of announcing the closing of Venezuela's embassy and consulates in the United States.
It comes a day after severing diplomatic ties with the US over Washington's recognition of opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president.
The political crisis in Venezuela escalated on Wednesday, when opposition leader and head of the National Assembly Juan Guaido declared Maduro's January 10 inauguration illegitimate and swore himself in as interim president, prompting both pro and anti-government protests.
Within 24 hours, a number of countries, including the United States, recognised Guaido's presidency, prompting Maduro to cut diplomatic ties with Washington and give American diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.