Venezuela declares readiness for 'absolute war' with the United States

"We are ready for war today and there is no arrogance in talking about it. If America wants it, absolute war will unite all our people to defend our homeland and our world," said Mr. Cabello.

Flag of Venezuela. Photo: Flickr

Mr. Cabello added that if the US Marines invaded Venezuela, it would be a problem for them to return home alive.

In Venezuela, on January 21, massive protests began against incumbent President Nicolas Maduro. On January 23, National Assembly President Juan Guaido declared himself interim head of state for the duration of the government.

The United States and several other countries have declared their recognition of Mr. Guaido. Russia supports Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela.

Britain, Germany, France and Spain have announced their intention to recognise Guaido as the country's interim president if new elections are not announced in Venezuela within eight days.

To date, in addition to the United States, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Georgia, Albania and a number of other countries have also recognized Mr. Guaido as head of state.

On January 28, the United States announced sanctions against Venezuelan company PSVSA, blocking the company's assets and interests within its jurisdiction worth $7 billion and prohibiting transactions with them.

The US State Department also said Washington had provided Juan Guaido, the head of Venezuela's opposition parliament, with access to Venezuelan government accounts in US banks.