US National Security Advisor John Bolton said Sunday that any attempt to prevent the safe return of Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido would meet "strong and significant response" from Washington.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido has announced his return to Venezuela after the Latin American tour he kicked off in defiance of a travel ban, calling for new demonstrations to be held across the country on Monday.

John Bolton said earlier that Washington plans to create a coalition to change the government in Venezuela amid the ongoing political crisis in the Latin American country.
"We are trying to rally support for the peaceful transition of power from [Venezuelan President Nicolas] Maduro to [self-proclaimed interim president of Venezuela] Juan Guaido, whom we recognize as president […] I'd like to see as broad a coalition as we can put together to replace Maduro, to replace the whole corrupt regime. That's what we are trying to do", Bolton said in an interview for the CNN broadcaster.

Earlier this week, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has  repeatedly slammed Guaido as a "US puppet" and accused Washington of trying to stage a coup in Venezuela, said that the opposition leader must be tried if he returns.









Russia wants peace in Venezuela and supports efforts to foster dialogue between the government and the opposition amid the political crisis in the Latin American country, since this is the only way to stabilize the situation, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.

"Russia opposes any and all interference in the internal affairs of other countries. 
In Venezuela, we support efforts – including those by representatives of the region – to foster dialogue between the government and the opposition. We continue to do so now… The result that Russia wants to achieve is peace in Venezuela. It can be achieved only through a respectful, inclusive, intra-national dialogue", Medvedev said in an interview with the Bulgarian newspaper Trud.

The prime minister added that all those who cared about the peaceful future of Venezuela should make effort to promote dialogue, slamming Washington, which backs Venezuelan self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido, for damaging the global dialogue on the situation around Venezuela.

"Washington’s efforts have led the discussion of the socioeconomic situation, the legitimacy or illegitimacy of the presidential election in Venezuela, away from constructive dialogue to a completely different place. This, unfortunately, is often followed by chaos, unrest, and the complete destruction of the economy and trade. We have already seen this more than once in other countries", Medvedev said.

He also voiced the belief that "increase in the intensity of political passion" never did any good for the people. The Russian prime minister added that his country was very much worried about Washington's statements about the possibility of military intervention in Venezuela.








Self-Proclaimed Venezuelan interim president Juan Guaido revealed Sunday on his Twitter account further steps to be made by the opposition, adding that during his recent Latin American tour he gained support among neighboring states.

"I appreciate the support given to us by our brother-countries Colombia, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Ecuador during our international tour. Thanks to all the peoples of the region who are with us in this crusade that transcends left and right", Guaido said Sunday on twitter.

Guaido vowed to return to Caracas on Monday to lead street protests across the country that are planned start at 11 a.m. local time, saying that in Caracas, the concentration will be on the main avenue of Las Mercedes. According the opposition leader, in the interior of the country, rally locations will be announced by the local Guiado associates.

Earlier this week, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has repeatedly described Guaido as a "US puppet" and accused Washington of trying to stage a coup in Venezuela, said that the opposition leader must be tried if he returns. Guaido could face up to 30 years in prison for his violation of the travel ban.