US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has refused to pull diplomats from Caracas, arguing the government that severed diplomatic ties with the US is not legitimate and threatening ‘appropriate actions’ if anyone is endangered.

“We call on the Venezuelan military and security forces to continue protecting the welfare and well-being of all Venezuelan citizens, as well as US and other foreign citizens in Venezuela,” Pompeo said in a statement on Wednesday evening, adding the US “will take appropriate action to hold accountable anyone who endangers the safety and security of our mission and its personnel.”

A stinging statement from Pompeo refers to "former president Nicolas Maduro" and says he doesn't have the legal authority to break diplomatic ties with the US or declare US diplomats "persona non grata." It calls on the Venezuelan military to protect US citizens in Venezuela pic.twitter.com/Sig7WmKd2H

— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) January 24, 2019

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https://www.rt.com/news/449555-pompeo-us-diplomats-venezuela/