Venezuela raps US comments on military ouster of President Maduro

Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino has decried US comments about the possibility of the military ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a coup d'etat.

Speaking during a broadcast on state television on Friday, Padrino said US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's five-nation Latin America tour was seeking a regional "intervention" against the socialist government.

He added that Washington seeks to undermine democracy in Latin America and return to the days of "imperialism."

"Every day he distances himself more from diplomacy to enter into warmongering. You have no moral authority," said Padrino, flanked by armed forces' top brass who swore loyalty to Maduro.

"This man... will try to persuade Latin America governments to intervene in Venezuela. That's a publicity stunt," he added and held US President Donald Trump's sanctions liable for economic hardship in Venezuela.

SS