Venezuela to close US embassy, consulates: Nicolas Maduro

Venezuela will close its embassy and all consulates in the United States, President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday, one day after he broke off diplomatic relations in response to US recognition of an opposition leader as interim president.

In a speech, Maduro added that he agreed with a call by Mexico and Uruguay for dialogue between Venezuela's government and opposition for a resolution to the South American country's political crisis.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called Maduro and expressed support, after several other nations recognised self-declared leader Juan Guaido, the Kremlin said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday warned Maduro against the use of force on mass demonstrations as he urged further international support for the self-declared acting president.

US ally Britain said Nicolas Maduro was "not the legitimate leader of Venezuela" and that London would support the presidential claim made by opposition leader Juan Guaido, news agency AFP reported.

(With inputs from agencies)