Hizbullah Slams 'U.S.-Backed Coup Attempt' in Venezuela

Hizbullah on Thursday condemned what it called “the blatant U.S. interference to undermine stability in Venezuela,” a few hours after U.S. President Donald Trump recognized the opposition leader as the country's “interim president.”

“We strongly condemn the coup attempt against the legitimate authority in the country, which was instigated and backed by the United States of America,” Hizbullah said in a statement.

“Hizbullah stresses that it stands by President Nicolas Maduro and his elected government,” the party added.

“The series of acknowledgments that are submissive to the U.S. will cannot bestow legitimacy on the putschists,” Hizbullah emphasized.

It also noted that the entire world knows that the U.S. objective “is not to defend democracy and freedom, as Washington is claiming, but rather to control the country's resources and assets and punish national states for their policies that are opposed to U.S. hegemony in the world.”

On Wednesday, the United States, Canada and most of Caracas' South American neighbors endorsed opposition leader Juan Guaido's claim on the Venezuelan presidency.

But European and EU leaders, while expressing support for popular protests against incumbent Nicolas Maduro, did not go so far -- stressing calls for new elections.