EU warns US against military action on Venezuela

"We believe that no military development, from inside or outside of the country, would be acceptable," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told a United Nations Security Council meeting on cooperation between the European Union and the UN on Tuesday.

"A solution cannot be, and should never be, imposed from the outside," she asserted.

"The crisis that affects the country has political and institutional causes. It's not a natural disaster. Its solution needs to be peaceful, political, and democratic," said Mogherini.

The official also reminded that the bloc had set up a contact group with Latin American countries to push for a political process.

Venezuela has been facing dire economic conditions and months-long protests, with President Nicolas Maduro putting the country’s woes down to US interventionism and accusing Washington of attempting a coup against his government.

Congress chief Juan Guaido named himself as Venezuela’s interim president amid the crisis in January. Washington took the lead in recognizing his claim followed by the US’ major European allies, including France, Germany, and Britain.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that all options are on the table in promoting Washington’s choice for Guaido over Maduro.

Russia, China and Iran have, however, roundly rejected the US’ meddlesome push targeting Venezuela.

Caracas expels US diplomats
Also on Tuesday, Venezuela ordered American diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours after Maduro accused Trump of cyber "sabotage" that has plunged the country into days-long blackout.

Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza made the announcement after talks broke down over maintaining diplomatic "interest sections" in the two countries. "The presence on Venezuelan soil of these officials represents a risk for the peace, unity, and stability of the country," the government also said in a statement.

A day earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had announced that the United States would withdraw the diplomats. The US State Department, meanwhile, said their presence had become "a constraint on US policy."