‘They may imprison me today,” says Venezuela’s Guaido

American diplomats could be attacked for being in the country, says self-proclaimed president

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Being imprisoned is possible, said the self-declared president of Venezuela during an interview Friday.

"Right now the route is marked and very clear. In the field of what might happen, they may imprison me today,” said Juan Guaido on a video posted on Twitter by a Venezuelan journalist. “Venezuela and the world knows this."

Guaido informed embassies and staff in Venezuela that the country “strongly” wants to keep its diplomatic presence with them.

“Officials of the U.S. embassy could be attacked for their existence in the country,” he added.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro cut ties with the U.S. after Guaido self-proclaimed himself interim president and gave American diplomats 72 hours to leave the country Wednesday.

Afterwards, Guaido urged mass anti-government protests that filled streets across the country.

Guaido's declaration was recognized by the U.S. shortly after it was made and also backed by Canada and several Latin American nations.

Maduro has accused the opposition of seeking to stage a coup with the support of the U.S. administration.

Kaynak: