The United States on Thursday ordered non-emergency embassy staff to leave Venezuela but stopped short of complying with a full expulsion ordered by Nicolas Maduro, who Washington says is no longer president.
The State Department in a notice said it had "ordered non-emergency US government employees to depart Venezuela."
"The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Venezuela," it said.
Venezuela's powerful military high command threw its weight behind President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday as opposition leader Juan Guaido pressed a direct challenge to his authority with the backing of the United States and key Latin American allies.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, a general, accused Guaido of attempting a "coup d'etat" and said Maduro, 56, is "the legitimate president."
Juan Guaido, the self-declared President of Venezuela Source: AAP
Eight generals who command of strategic regions of the country reiterated their "absolute loyalty and subordination" to the socialist leader in messages carried on state television.
Some ended their statements by adding: "Always loyal, never traitors."
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday warned Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro not to use force against mass demonstrations and urged further international support for the self-declared acting president.
A day after the United States and major Latin American nations recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as the acting president, Pompeo pressed his case at a special meeting of the Organization of American States.
"The time for debate is done. The regime of former president Nicolas Maduro is illegitimate," Pompeo said.
The Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and other military officers Source: AAP
"His regime is morally bankrupt, it's economically incompetent, and it is profoundly corrupt, and it is undemocratic to the core," he said.
Pompeo demanded that the military, whose leadership has confirmed its loyalty to Maduro, protect Guaido, a day after deadly street clashes.
"I reiterate our warning about any decision by remnant elements of the Maduro regime to use violence to repress the peaceful democratic transition," Pompeo said.
Pompeo urged all members of the Organization of American States to recognise Guaido.
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The most notable holdout is Mexico, whose new leftist president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has pledged a foreign policy of non-intervention.
"All OAS member states must align themselves with democracy and respect for the rule of law," Pompeo said.
His remarks were followed by a protest as Medea Benjamin, the co-founder of peace group Code Pink who frequently disrupts official events, held up a banner that said, "Don't support the coup in Venezuela."
Activist Medea Benjamin with the group Code Pink, heckles remarks by Secretary Pompeo Source: AAP
Pompeo remained seated, offering a slight smile, as Benjamin was told that the protest was not allowed.
The United States argues that Maduro's re-election last year was invalid due to widespread irregularities. Maduro had declared the National Assembly, led by Guaido's opposition, to be illegitimate.
Pompeo also announced $20 million in humanitarian assistance for Venezuela "as soon as logistically possible" in response to what he said was a request from the National Assembly.
Venezuela has suffered hyperinflation and scarcities of basic food and medicine amid an economic crisis in which millions have fled the country.
