[00:00.83]The United States steps up its support for Venezuela¡¯s opposition leader,
[00:08.33] but the country¡¯s military promises its loyalty to President Nicolas Maduro.
[00:17.99]Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asked members of the Organization of American States Thursday to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido.
[00:31.37] He said the U.S. is ready to ship more than $20 million in humanitarian assistance to Venezuela. 
[00:41.05]The country is facing severe economic problems.
[00:47.14]Speaking to reporters at the White House, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton added the U.S. wants to be sure
[00:59.69] that Venezuelan oil revenue goes to Guaido and not to President Maduro.
[01:06.72]American support for Guaido came shortly after the opposition leader declared himself interim president Wednesday.
[01:12.49] The leader of Venezuela's National Assembly declared himself president just two weeks after Maduro began his second six-year term. 
[01:31.12]Many Venezuelans believed the election should not be recognized because Maduro banned his opponents from running against him.
[01:41.03]The chief of Venezuela¡¯s military, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, 
[01:50.36]repeated his support for President Maduro in a televised statement Thursday.
[01:57.19] He said the armed forces will never accept a leader forced on their country. 
[02:04.27]¡°It¡¯s not a war between Venezuelans that will solve our problems,¡±
[02:11.42] he said. ¡°It¡¯s dialogue.¡±
[02:14.49]The situation in Venezuela has the world¡¯s major powers quickly picking sides. 
[02:20.43]The U.S., Canada, some Latin American and European countries supported Guaido¡¯s claim 
[02:29.54]that the constitution makes him interim president.
[02:33.28]Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, has offered his support to Venezuelan President Maduro. 
[02:42.50]In a statement, the president¡¯s office said Putin called Maduro 
[02:48.63]¡°to express support to the legitimate government of Venezuela.¡±
[02:54.01]And China¡¯s foreign ministry called on the United States to stay out of the crisis.
[03:02.72]Iran, Syria, Cuba and Turkey have also said they continue to support Maduro¡¯s government.
[03:12.53]I'm Susan Shand.