He also criticized U.S. policy regarding Iraq, Haiti, Kosovo, the Free Trade Area of the Americas and other regions. Chávez also condemned the February 2004 overthrow of US-backed Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. [Citation required] In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Chávez said Bush was “dominating a false elite democracy” and a “bomb democracy.” [35] On January 23, 2019, Maduro announced that Venezuela was severing relations with the United States following President Trump`s announcement to recognize Juan Guaidó, the head of the Venezuelan National Assembly, as Venezuela`s interim president. [6] Maduro said all U.S. diplomats must leave within 72 hours, but Guaidó said they must stay. [93] Maduro later confirmed the closure of the Venezuelan embassy and all consulates in the United States. [94] In response, Maduro ordered the expulsion of the U.S. diplomats and gave them 72 hours to leave Venezuela.
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