down to the crisis in Venezuela the
country's oppositional e21 why though
declaring himself interim president
before thousands of anti-government
protesters and with a support of the US
and at least 10 other nations embattled
leader Nicolas Maduro showing no signs
he is going to cede power and
retaliating by breaking off relations
with the US and ordering diplomats to
leave the country within 72 hours we
have team coverage tonight on the power
struggle or DC bureau chief Ross Palumbo
live at the White House with the show of
solidarity from the US but we begin with
Cody Weddell he is live right there in
Caracas with an exclusive look at the
anti-government demonstrations within
the country that turned deadly Cody in
Calvin and Laurie Caracas and this
country bracing for another night there
are reports of hooting and disturbances
with police around the country as
clashes continue as this country enters
uncharted political waters with two
people claiming the presidency clashes
with authorities and cases of looting
reported around the country this evening
this the scene on a major Caracas
highway masked men and protestors
standing by as a flipped dump truck
burns in the street authorities throwing
tear gas bombs in western Venezuela
reports of stores being looted by masked
men cars burnt during the chaos the
madness brought on after this moment
sent this country into an unprecedented
constitutional crisis and it would be
one astronaut National Assembly
President Juan why though assuming the
country's presidency but Nicolas Maduro
still remains in power National Guard
troops following his orders today and
Maduro responding to u.s. plans to
recognize why though and not him by
ordering US diplomatic staff out of the
country in 72 hours also asking for
loyalty from his armed forces why though
meanwhile hoping his momentum will cause
those soldiers to flip and back him
instead of Maduro and there are
conflicting reports tonight about
whether the US State Department will
actually remove diplomatic staff here
wha-why though the interim president who
was sworn in today has urged the u.s.
not to remove its staff since he is
claiming the presidency Senator Marco
Rubio in the United States has also been
very vocal urging the u.s. - State
Department not to remove its staff here
in the country
reporting live here in Caracas I'm Cody
wydo back to you guys a government
essentially with two presidents and in
chaos right now Cody we'll check back in
with you tomorrow thanks a lot our team
coverage
turns now to our DC bureau chief Ross
Palumbo he's live at the White House
with reaction from President Trump and
Florida lawmakers Ross well Laurie and
Calvin sources the White House are
telling me tonight that the
administration believes maduras words
are quote meaningless when it comes to
his threat to remove our diplomats in
fact it is very clear at the White House
here tonight that the president has
already recognized and is now already
dealing with a new president in
Venezuela we're not considering anything
but all options are on the table all
economic and diplomatic options now on
the table after the president recognized
one why Joe as the interim president of
Venezuela denouncing Nicolas Maduro
always all options are on the table and
Senator Marco Rubio hinting those
options could include the military
tweeting I know for a fact that if
Maduro responds with violence all
options are on the table the president
look at every option he's gotten senator
Rick Scott applauding the president's
decision it's important for him that we
do everything we can to make sure Madero
steps aside Congressman Mario
diaz-balart Warnie Maduro by tweet
saying those responsible for violence
and human rights abuses against the
Venezuelan people will be held
accountable for their crimes and
governor Ron de santis tweeting the
people of Venezuela deserved to live in
peace we're human and civil rights are
respected and democracy can flourish all
of them at the White House yesterday
urging the President to take this action
and we strongly urged him to recognize
hawk wand why though as the interim
president of Venezuela the florida
lawmakers also pushing the president to
put venezuela on the list of state
sponsors of terror something the
president is still considering maderos
Chloe a terrorist
we you know we need to declare Venezuela
the chair of state it clearly is the way
Maduro streets the citizens is
disgusting but tonight those citizens
struggling to push Maduro into the past
while trying to gain their footing with
this new president for the future I'm
hoping for something much better for
Venezuela going forward