CARACAS, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's government on Friday condemned U.S. meddling in its national affairs, and endorsed President Nicolas Maduro's reelection bid.
Top lawmaker and President of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC), Delcy Rodriguez, slammed U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who said on Thursday the United States would continue to press for a "change" of government in Venezuela.
Rodriguez demanded "respect" for Venezuelan sovereignty and an end to U.S. "interference" in domestic politics, where Washington has long backed the right-wing opposition to the ruling socialist party (PSUV).
"No imperial oil lord will give orders to the people of Venezuela! Secretary Rex Tillerson thinks Latin America is his backyard!" Rodriguez posted to Twitter.
Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza also described Tillerson's statements as "serious threats" to incite a "military coup" in the South American country.
Tillerson is currently on a tour of Latin America that includes stops in Mexico, Colombia and Peru.
Earlier in the day, Venezuela's ruling party elected Maduro to be its candidate in upcoming presidential elections, the party's vice president, Diosdado Cabello, said.
