The decision by US authorities to break into Venezuela's Washington, DC embassy and arrest anti-coup activists on Wednesday is a clear violation of international law, Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin told RT.A group calling itself the 'Embassy Protection Collective' has been under siege inside the building for weeks, as supporters of Venezuelan coup leader Juan Guaido called for their removal.Benjamin told RT that Code Pink, an anti-war activist group, received "an urgent call" from members of the 'Collective' on Wednesday morning saying "police had broken down the door and that they were going to be arrested."She denounced police action as a violation of the Vienna ConventionUS authorities had previously cut off power to the embassy in an effort to force activists to leave.Benjamin said the best way to protect both the US embassy in Caracas and the Venezuelan embassy in DC was for the two governments to sign a "Protecting Power Agreement" - something Venezuela's ambassador has been calling for at the United Nations.Benjamin said the break-in by police could be a "a tremendous step toward greater conflict with the US" if Guaido's representatives are now allowed to enter the building.The Trump administration recognized Guaido as Venezuela's self-declared "interim president" in January and helped organize two failed coup attempts against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, which it brands "illegitimate."Asked why anti-intervention activists inside the building had ignored police warnings before Wednesday's raid, Benjamin said the warning to vacate was an "illegal notice.""It was not signed by anybody, it had no address on it, it had no stamp on it or anything," she said. What's more, she added, the "legitimate government" of Venezuela had invited the activists inside and Code Pink does not comply with "illegal orders.""We don't consider this chapter over yet," Benjamin said, calling on the US to "dial down this crisis, lift the economic sanctions [on Venezuela]" and "come to a negotiated solution." </s> WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. law enforcement officers raided the Venezuelan Embassy on Thursday to oust a small group protesting U.S. policy toward the oil-rich country, paving the way for the diplomatic compound to be handed to the U.S. envoy of opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido celebrate outside the Venezuelan embassy to the United States after U.S. law enforcement officers arrested and removed the remaining activists sympathetic to embattled President Nicolas Maduro who had been part of a multi-week occupation of the embassy in Washington, U.S., May 16, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Since mid-April, members of three activist groups have been occupying the embassy, a red brick building in the upscale Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, where they say they are “invited guests” of the Venezuelan government.

The activists oppose U.S. intervention in Venezuela to oust President Nicolas Maduro in favor of Guaido, self-proclaimed interim president of the OPEC-member nation.

“I am here standing before you announcing that we have recovered this building thanks to the Venezuelan diaspora,” Carlos Vecchio, Guaido’s representative in Washington, told a group of supporters outside the building late on Thursday.

Vecchio also thanked President Donald Trump’s administration. The building was undergoing safety checks and would be open for business soon, he said.

Authorities arrested the last four protesters on Thursday after utilities for the building were cut off and they ignored an eviction order, the groups say.

A spokesman for Pepco, Washington’s energy utility, said the company does not discuss service to individual properties.

The U.S. Secret Service confirmed officers had helped agents from the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service execute arrest warrants against people inside the embassy.

A U.S. State Department spokeswoman said the government of Guaido, whom the United States recognizes as the leader of Venezuela, asked for U.S. assistance in removing the protesters from the embassy.

“The Venezuelan government, led by Interim President Juan Guaido ... has asked the trespassers to depart the premises,” the spokeswoman said.

Neither agency identified what charges the protesters faced.

Tensions have escalated between the United States and Venezuela as Washington has ratcheted up pressure against the government of Maduro, which it says is illegitimate.

The United States has imposed sanctions against Venezuelan leaders, ordered the withdrawal of diplomatic personnel from Venezuela in March and, on Wednesday, suspended passenger and cargo flights between the United States and Venezuela.

Maduro, who has branded Guaido a U.S. puppet seeking to oust him in a coup, broke off relations with Washington after it recognized Guaido and recalled diplomatic and consular staff.

Representatives of Guaido took control of three of the country’s diplomatic properties in the United States in March.

At its peak, about 50 people from three groups had occupied the Venezuelan Embassy, according to Medea Benjamin, a co-founder of Code Pink, one of the groups involved. </s> U.S. law enforcement officers raided the Venezuelan Embassy on Thursday to oust a small group protesting U.S. policy toward the oil-rich country, paving the way for the diplomatic compound to be handed to the U.S. envoy of opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Since mid-April, members of three activist groups have been occupying the embassy, a red brick building in the upscale Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, where they say they are "invited guests" of the Venezuelan government.

The activists oppose U.S. intervention in Venezuela to oust President Nicolas Maduro in favor of Juan Guaido, the Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president of the OPEC-member nation.

Authorities arrested the last four protesters on Thursday after utilities for the building were cut off and they ignored an eviction order, the groups say.

A spokesman for Pepco, Washington's energy utility, said the company does not discuss service to individual properties.

The U.S. Secret Service confirmed officers had helped agents from State Department's Diplomatic Security Service execute arrest warrants against people inside the embassy.

A U.S. State Department spokeswoman said the government of Guaido, who the United States recognizes as the leader of Venezuela, asked for U.S. assistance in removing the protesters from the embassy.

"The Venezuelan government, led by Interim President Juan Guaido ... has asked the trespassers to depart the premises," the spokeswoman said.

Neither agency identified what charges the protesters faced.

Tensions have escalated between the United States and Venezuela as Washington has ratcheted up pressure against the government of Maduro, which it says is illegitimate.

The United States has imposed sanctions against Venezuelan leaders, ordered the withdrawal of diplomatic personnel from Venezuela in March and, on Wednesday, suspended passenger and cargo flights between the United States and Venezuela.

Maduro, who has branded Guaido a U.S. puppet seeking to oust him in a coup, broke off relations with Washington after it recognized Guaido and recalled diplomatic and consular staff.

Representatives of Guaido took control of three of the country's diplomatic properties in the United States in March.

At its peak, about 50 people from three groups occupied the Venezuelan Embassy, according to Medea Benjamin, a co-founder of Code Pink, one of the groups involved.

Meanwhile, supporters of Guaido have mounted their own protests outside the embassy. Following Thursday's arrests, dozens of the opposition government's supporters celebrated in the streets.

"The liberation of our embassy was thanks to the fight of the Venezuelan diaspora," Carlos Vecchio, Guaido's representative in Washington, wrote on Twitter. "Next liberation: Venezuela."

Benjamin said the activists will continue to protest in what she says is a bid to ease tensions between the two countries. "This issue is not over yet," she said. </s> Four protesters who had been living inside the Venezuelan Embassy were arrested by federal law enforcement officers and forcibly removed from the building Thursday, ending a month-long standoff.

The embassy, a red-brick building in Georgetown, has been the site of a standoff between supporters of President Nicolas Maduro and backers of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó. The Guaidó supporters spent weeks standing outside the embassy, wanting the Maduro backers inside to leave the building.

The U.S. Secret Service confirmed officers aided agents from State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service execute arrest warrants against people inside the embassy.

A State Department spokeswoman said the government of Guaidó, who the United States recognizes as the leader of Venezuela, asked for U.S. assistance in removing the protesters from the embassy, Reuters reported.

The daily protests at the embassy have mirrored the struggle for control over the South American country.

Carlos Vecchio, the Guaidó-appointed ambassador, tweeted Thursday that the embassy had been "liberated" and thanked Matthew Burwick, a pro-Guaidó demonstrator who stood outside the building for weeks, "for becoming that fight symbol."

The embassy, which was abandoned by Maduro loyalists in late April when the officials' visas expired, has since been under the control of Code Pink activists, who vowed to protect the building from a "hostile takeover."

“This group – the Code Pink – has taken the embassy,” one pro-Guaidó protester, Giuliano Gandullia, 40, told Fox News outside the embassy earlier this month. “We want to enter. We want to take over. And demonstrate that it belongs to us.”

The Venezuelan opposition has also been looking for ways to increase international pressure on Maduro to step down. U.S. officials have said "all options are on the table" in the campaign to oust him.

POMPEO RIPS SUPPORT FOR MADURO BY US, UK LAWMAKERS AS 'DISGUSTING'

The U.S. and more than 50 other countries say Maduro’s re-election was fraudulent and back Guaidó’s claim to be Venezuela’s interim president. Washington has imposed sanctions on individuals linked to Maduro’s government as well as the country’s oil industry in an attempt to force a change of government. Maduro, whose allies include Russia and Cuba, says he is the target of a U.S.-designed coup plot.

In Russia on Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and said later that he had urged Moscow to end its support for Maduro.

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Both the U.S. and Russia accuse each other of meddling in Venezuela’s affairs.

Fox News' Alex Pappas and The Associated Press contributed to this report. </s> US police on Thursday evicted the last of a group of protestors who have been occupying the Venezuelan embassy in Washington in support of President Nicolas Maduro, ending a weeks-long standoff.

"The liberation of our embassy came about thanks to the struggle of the Venezuelan diaspora," said Carlos Vecchio, envoy for opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president earlier this year in a power play against Maduro.

"With sacrifice they held the grounds against all adversity," said Vecchio on Twitter.

Various police and firefighting vehicles were seen inside the grounds of the diplomatic mission in the US capital, which was taken over last month by a number of left-wing and pacifist activists protesting Guaido's bid to push Maduro out.

The most high-profile of the groups behind the occupation, CODEPINK, denounced what it called the "illegal entry and arrest at DC Venezuela Embassy."

It promised to "keep fighting to protect the embassy from illegal takeover by Guaido forces."

Guaido has been recognized as leader of the crisis-stricken country by some 50 states, including the United States.

"At this moment the authorities are checking the building to ensure its security before taking it over," Vecchio said.

A group of Venezuelans had gathered outside the cordoned-off embassy building and were chanting slogans such as "Viva Venezuela."

For more than a month, an unclear number of Americans belonging to a group calling itself the Embassy Protection Collective had been living in the embassy, with the consent of the Maduro government.

The American squatters, whose numbers dwindled to just four people this week after police warned they would enter the building by force, aimed to block the entry of the Guaido delegation to the embassy. </s> U.S. police have evicted a small group of demonstrators from the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, after a weeks-long protest by the group against U.S. policy toward the South American country.

Law enforcement officials raided the building Thursday and arrested four demonstrators, paving the way for the diplomatic compound to be handed to the U.S. envoy of opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is recognized by the United States.

Demonstrators had been occupying the building in an upscale Georgetown neighborhood since mid-April, saying they consider Nicolas Maduro the legitimate president of Venezuela.

At the start of the protest, more than 30 activists were living inside the embassy, but their numbers gradually dwindled after police threatened to remove them.

Maduro criticized the U.S. police action, calling it shameful. The embassy building had been vacant for more than a month after the Maduro administration pulled its diplomats from Washington. However, once the protesters began occupying the building, the Maduro government gave its support to the demonstrators and said they were "protecting" the building.

Guaido's representative in Washington, Carlos Vecchio, told a group of his supporters outside the building late Thursday the embassy would be open for business soon. He thanked President Donald Trump's administration for recovering the building.

A U.S. State Department spokeswoman said the government of Guaido, whom the United States recognizes as the leader of Venezuela, asked for U.S. help in removing the demonstrators from the embassy.

A lawyer for the activists who were arrested said in a statement they were charged with interference with protective functions.

Guaido, Venezuela's National Assembly leader, declared himself the country's interim president in January, saying Maduro's election in December was a fraud.

In addition to the U.S., Guaido is recognized by about 50 other countries as the legitimate leader of the South American nation, but he has not been able to nudge Venezuela's socialist president from office.

Millions of Venezuelans — exhausted by out-of-control inflation, severe food and fuel shortages, a lack of medical care, and periodic blackouts — have fled the country.

Maduro has accused Guaido of trying to carry out a U.S.- and Colombian-supported coup and says the opposition will fail. </s> on Thursday evicted the last of a group of protestors who have been occupying the in support of Nicolas Maduro, ending a weeks-long standoff.

"The liberation of our embassy came about thanks to the struggle of the Venezuelan diaspora," said Carlos Vecchio, envoy for opposition Juan Guaido, who declared himself earlier this year in a power play against Maduro.

"With sacrifice they held the grounds against all adversity," said Vecchio on

The condemned the eviction, with saying that "once again, the has shown that it finds the truth painful. It reacts with arrogance by violating international law." 



 and firefighting vehicles were seen inside the grounds of the diplomatic mission in the US capital, which was taken over last month by a number of left-wing and pacifist activists protesting Guaido's bid to push Maduro out.

The most high-profile of the groups behind the occupation, CODEPINK, denounced what it called the "illegal entry and arrest at DC Embassy." 



It promised to "keep fighting to protect the embassy from illegal takeover by Guaido forces." "All four of the peace activists who have been inside the embassy have now been arrested," said Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, a representing the protesters.

Guaido has been recognized as of the crisis-stricken country by some 50 states, including the

"At this moment the authorities are checking the building to ensure its security before taking it over," Vecchio said.

For more than a month, an unclear number of Americans belonging to a group calling itself the Embassy Protection Collective had been living in the embassy, with the consent of the

The American squatters, whose numbers dwindled to just four people this week after police warned they would enter the building by force, aimed to block the entry of the Guaido delegation to the embassy.

A group of Venezuelans had gathered outside the cordoned-off embassy building Thursday and were chanting slogans such as "Viva " 



"I came to see the results of 14 days of our community action, of staying in our embassy to reclaim what belongs to us," said Roberto Nasser, a 56-year-old Venezuelan, whio had been spending up to 16 hours a day standing outside the building.

He and other Venezuelan residents of the capital had camped outside the embassy and tried to prevent any supplies from being delivered to the squatters inside. </s> A Venezuelan opposition legislator has sought refuge in the Argentinian embassy in Caracas following the arrest of the National Assembly's vice president Edgar Zambrano.

An Argentine foreign ministry source told Reuters on Thursday that Richard Blanco of the Brave People's Alliance party was in the embassy as a guest.

Blanco was one of the ten opposition lawmakers who was stripped of parliamentary immunity by the Supreme Court this week. He appeared with opposition leader Juan Guaido in the rallies meant to stir a military uprising against President Nicolas Maduro last month.

Zambrano was arrested on Wednesday by intelligence agents who towed away his car with him inside. A tweet on his verified account said "we were surprised by intelligence agents who towed away our vehicle when we refused to leave it in order to transfer us to the Helicoide (a Venezuelan prison). We, democrats, remain on our feet to fight."

The vice president was among the deputies who had their immunity stripped.

Another opposition figure, Marianella Magallanes, who had her immunity removed sought refuge in the Italian embassy.

Guaido's chief of staff, Roberto Marrero, was arrested in March.

The Lima group, a regional bloc made up of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Canada, condemned the move to strip away immunity and to arrest Zambrano.

Even though Maduro hasn't arrested Guaido yet because of the potential strong backlash, he has tried to isolate the opposition leader by incarcerating key allies. </s> American police have forcibly removed four protesters who have been living inside the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC, for more than a month — leading critics to claim that the US is violating the Vienna Convention.

The embassy has been the site of a standoff between supporters of the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro, and backers of opposition leader Juan Guaido, who Donald Trump has recognised as the interim president of Venezuela.

As conflict continues back home in Venezuela, Mr Guaido’s appointed ambassador to the US, Carlos Vecchio, said that the removal of the four protesters represents a liberation for the embassy.

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While Washington police and federal authorities were seen entering the embassy on Thursday morning, no official comment has been made related to the circumstances, according to the Washington Post.

Code Pink, an international peace and social justice group, identified the four protesters arrested in the Venezuelan embassy as Kevin Zeese, Margaret Flowers, Adrienne Pine, and David Paul.

Shape Created with Sketch. Venezuelans seek joy amid the chaos Show all 24 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Venezuelans seek joy amid the chaos 1/24 Children play while attending a birthday party celebration at Catia neighbourhood Reuters 2/24 Anderson Rodriguez trains on a slackline at a National Circus of Venezuela venue in Caracas Reuters 3/24 A child climbs on a bike to see an amusement park with an illuminated ferris wheel in Caracas Reuters 4/24 Andrew rides a small tricycle on the rooftop of his family house in Caracas's Catia neighbourhood Reuters 5/24 A child reacts next to members of a folk group dressed as devils while taking part in the celebration of Los Palmeros de Chacao, a Holy Week tradition, in Caracas Reuters 6/24 Members of Family Rose softball team put their hands together before a match at Lecuna Avenue softball pitch in Caracas. "After the game we always had a few beers. But now they are too expensive," said Felix Babaza Reuters 7/24 Oriana Contreras and her niece ride a roller coaster at Italo Americano amusement park in Caracas. Contreras said, "Sometimes, the quotidian things bore, more the situation which we are going through. We try to have fun with what we can." Reuters 8/24 Members of a folk group take part in the celebration of Palmeros de Chacao Reuters 9/24 A bird is seen inside a cage in front of the beach at La Guaira near Caracas Reuters 10/24 Leonel Martinez, who works as soldier, kisses his girlfriend as they spend a day at Coral beach in La Guaira. "It's a way to think about something besides what is happening in the country," said Martinez. "It's not something you can do every day, because of the situation in the country." Reuters 11/24 A young boy practices on a unicycle while hula hooping at the Teresa Carreno theatre area where friends meet to practice in Caracas Reuters 12/24 Ana Gabriela Alzola and Deniali Vega pose for a photograph at a backdrop used by customers to take pictures inside a mall in Caracas Reuters 13/24 Carmelo Gonzalez dances salsa at El Venezolano square where he meets a seniors club every Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon in Caracas. Gonzalez said, "I have fun and I work. The pension helps me a bit. You have to enjoy life, after you die there is nothing else." Reuters 14/24 Children pose for a photograph on a disused tank displayed at Los Proceres boulevard in Caracas Reuters 15/24 A boy flies a homemade kite next to Gran Mision Vivienda housing project in Caracas. The children make their own kites using a plastic bag, sticks and a nylon line. "Most expensive is the nylon cone, which is 10 thousand Bolivar notes (approximately 3 US dollars)," said Luis Flores Reuters 16/24 Arianny Itriago sits during her quinceanera (15th birthday celebration) at Catia neighbourhood. Arianny's father, Ronny, said, "It's a family tradition to celebrate a quinceanera. Now everything is hyper expensive in our country. Everything is handled based on the US dollar, our Bolivars do not have much weight due to inflation, we are practically dollarized... The music that we hired was 80 or 90 US dollars." Reuters 17/24 Genesis Gonzalez arranges her mortarboard before posing for a photograph at Valle Arriba lookout point in Caracas. Genesis's father, Rafael, said, "My daughter is a Psychology Graduate of the Catholic University Andres Bello, despite the adversity, we must celebrate these things." Reuters 18/24 A man looks at pinatas at a birthday supplies shop in Caracas. The manager of the shop said, "People were coming after work or early on Saturdays to buy birthday supplies. Now few people come." Reuters 19/24 Children walk along a breakwater at Coral beach in La Guaira near Caracas. "A person who has a minimum wage can't come [to the beach]. The anguish that has all Venezuelans is food. First the flour and the rice." said Carla Cordova Reuters 20/24 Yeafersonth Manrique whose nickname is B-Boy Chispa practices break dancing at the Teresa Carreno theatre area where he meets friends to dance. "When we're out here dancing, we don't think about the state of the country," said Yeafersonth Manrique, a 24-year-old drenched in sweat after a long practice. "In this world there is no crisis." Reuters 21/24 Neidi Luzardo and his relative enjoy a ride at the Italo Americano amusement park. "The most common fun for a Caraqueno is a beach day," said Luzardo Reuters 22/24 Belinda, a former teacher, laughs after taking a photograph of graffiti which reads 'Normality is a privilege?' in Caracas. "We, the Venezuelan people, make a joke of everything," said Belinda Reuters 23/24 A woman holds a child as they get ready to hit a pinata at a birthday party celebration in Caracas Reuters 24/24 Victor floats in the sea as he spends a day at Coral beach Reuters 1/24 Children play while attending a birthday party celebration at Catia neighbourhood Reuters 2/24 Anderson Rodriguez trains on a slackline at a National Circus of Venezuela venue in Caracas Reuters 3/24 A child climbs on a bike to see an amusement park with an illuminated ferris wheel in Caracas Reuters 4/24 Andrew rides a small tricycle on the rooftop of his family house in Caracas's Catia neighbourhood Reuters 5/24 A child reacts next to members of a folk group dressed as devils while taking part in the celebration of Los Palmeros de Chacao, a Holy Week tradition, in Caracas Reuters 6/24 Members of Family Rose softball team put their hands together before a match at Lecuna Avenue softball pitch in Caracas. "After the game we always had a few beers. But now they are too expensive," said Felix Babaza Reuters 7/24 Oriana Contreras and her niece ride a roller coaster at Italo Americano amusement park in Caracas. Contreras said, "Sometimes, the quotidian things bore, more the situation which we are going through. We try to have fun with what we can." Reuters 8/24 Members of a folk group take part in the celebration of Palmeros de Chacao Reuters 9/24 A bird is seen inside a cage in front of the beach at La Guaira near Caracas Reuters 10/24 Leonel Martinez, who works as soldier, kisses his girlfriend as they spend a day at Coral beach in La Guaira. "It's a way to think about something besides what is happening in the country," said Martinez. "It's not something you can do every day, because of the situation in the country." Reuters 11/24 A young boy practices on a unicycle while hula hooping at the Teresa Carreno theatre area where friends meet to practice in Caracas Reuters 12/24 Ana Gabriela Alzola and Deniali Vega pose for a photograph at a backdrop used by customers to take pictures inside a mall in Caracas Reuters 13/24 Carmelo Gonzalez dances salsa at El Venezolano square where he meets a seniors club every Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon in Caracas. Gonzalez said, "I have fun and I work. The pension helps me a bit. You have to enjoy life, after you die there is nothing else." Reuters 14/24 Children pose for a photograph on a disused tank displayed at Los Proceres boulevard in Caracas Reuters 15/24 A boy flies a homemade kite next to Gran Mision Vivienda housing project in Caracas. The children make their own kites using a plastic bag, sticks and a nylon line. "Most expensive is the nylon cone, which is 10 thousand Bolivar notes (approximately 3 US dollars)," said Luis Flores Reuters 16/24 Arianny Itriago sits during her quinceanera (15th birthday celebration) at Catia neighbourhood. Arianny's father, Ronny, said, "It's a family tradition to celebrate a quinceanera. Now everything is hyper expensive in our country. Everything is handled based on the US dollar, our Bolivars do not have much weight due to inflation, we are practically dollarized... The music that we hired was 80 or 90 US dollars." Reuters 17/24 Genesis Gonzalez arranges her mortarboard before posing for a photograph at Valle Arriba lookout point in Caracas. Genesis's father, Rafael, said, "My daughter is a Psychology Graduate of the Catholic University Andres Bello, despite the adversity, we must celebrate these things." Reuters 18/24 A man looks at pinatas at a birthday supplies shop in Caracas. The manager of the shop said, "People were coming after work or early on Saturdays to buy birthday supplies. Now few people come." Reuters 19/24 Children walk along a breakwater at Coral beach in La Guaira near Caracas. "A person who has a minimum wage can't come [to the beach]. The anguish that has all Venezuelans is food. First the flour and the rice." said Carla Cordova Reuters 20/24 Yeafersonth Manrique whose nickname is B-Boy Chispa practices break dancing at the Teresa Carreno theatre area where he meets friends to dance. "When we're out here dancing, we don't think about the state of the country," said Yeafersonth Manrique, a 24-year-old drenched in sweat after a long practice. "In this world there is no crisis." Reuters 21/24 Neidi Luzardo and his relative enjoy a ride at the Italo Americano amusement park. "The most common fun for a Caraqueno is a beach day," said Luzardo Reuters 22/24 Belinda, a former teacher, laughs after taking a photograph of graffiti which reads 'Normality is a privilege?' in Caracas. "We, the Venezuelan people, make a joke of everything," said Belinda Reuters 23/24 A woman holds a child as they get ready to hit a pinata at a birthday party celebration in Caracas Reuters 24/24 Victor floats in the sea as he spends a day at Coral beach Reuters

Medea Benjamin, a founder of Code Pink, had previously told CNN that the activists had been given access to the embassy before Venezuelan diplomats left amid the standoff between Mr Maduro and Mr Guaido last month.

The Vienna Convention establishes that diplomatic missions on foreign soil are “inviolable”, and prohibits hosting states from entering embassies unless they were given permission beforehand. Mr Maduro’s government has said they did not give US forces permission to enter.

“The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela does not authorise the entrance of any US law enforcement officers into our former Embassy building in Washington,” Venezuelan deputy foreign minister Carlos Ron said in a tweet. “Any such entrance is an unlawful breach of the Vienna Convention.”
U.S. federal agents raid the Venezuelan embassy to evict Code Pink protesters, at the request of National Assembly leader Juan Guaido. They had been staying at the embassy at the invitation of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is locked in a dispute over the presidency with Guaido. Maduro's government considers the raid to be a violation of the Vienna convention.