Caracas, March 18 (RHC)—Venezuela’s constitutional government  denounced on Monday the illegal and forcible  occupation by opposition representatives of three of its diplomatic properties in the United States with the connivance of the host country’s authorities.

In a statement, the Bolivarian government said that these actions amount to a gross violation of the Vienna  Convention on Diplomatic Relations and stressed that Venezuelan diplomatic properties are to be used exclusively by officials of the legitimate government of the country.

The text added that tolerating or promoting any threat or intimidation against  Venezuelan diplomatic agents by Venezuelans residing in the United States  constitute a serious violation of the US government international obligations.

The Bolivarian government called on US authorities to respect international law and to take the necessary measures “to immediately reverse the forceful occupation of its diplomatic offices, and warned that if they fail to do so, the Venezuelan authorities will take legal and reciprocal actions in Venezuelan territory.

Representatives of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido have taken control of three of the country’s diplomatic properties in the United States, Guaido’s U.S. envoy said on Monday.

 The envoy, Carlos Vecchio, said the opposition had gained control of two buildings belonging to Venezuela’s defense ministry in Washington and one consular building in New York. He added that the group expected to take control of Venezuela’s embassy in Washington “in the days to come.”

U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters the United States was “pleased to support these requests.”