MIKE POMPEO, the U.S. Secretary of State, has called on members of the Organization of American States (OAS) to recognize National Assembly President Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela.

Image: Nicolas Maduro

At a meeting in Washington, Pompeo said “the time for debate is done. The regime of former President Nicolas Maduro is illegitimate.”

Pompeo also pledged $20m in humanitarian assistance to Venezuela and called on Venezuelan security forces to protect Guaido’s physical safety.

.@SecPompeo at @OAS_official: Today I am announcing U.S. is ready to provide more than $20 million in humanitarian aid to the people of #Venezuela. The funds are to help them cope w/severe food & medicine shortages & other dire impacts of their country’s political & econ. crisis. pic.twitter.com/gXlzU7EkGs

— Department of State (@StateDept) January 24, 2019

The Vatican says Pope Francis is closely following developments in Venezuela and supports “all efforts that help save the population from further suffering”.

A statement from Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti on Thursday did not specify whether the Holy See recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido’s claim to the interim presidency.

Francis is nearby on a visit to Panama for World Youth Day.