Pompeo withdrawing all personnel from US Embassy in Venezuela

WASHINGTON, March 12 (MENA) - All personnel at the US Embassy in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas will be withdrawn this week, Washington Examiner newspaper reported Tuesday.

"This decision reflects the deteriorating situation in Venezuela as well as the conclusion that the presence of US diplomatic staff at the embassy has become a constraint on US policy,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a tweet.

Amid an economic and humanitarian crisis in the South American country, the US and other allies have demanded the ouster of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro and recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president.

White House national security adviser John Bolton said Sunday that momentum is building against Maduro, and members of the Venezuelan military and National Assembly are talking about ways to transition to a government headed by Guaido.