President Nicolas Maduro said today that remarks by US Secretary of State John Kerry on the unrest in Venezuela gave violent groups a "green light" to carry out attacks.
In a tweet, Maduro also slammed the remarks made by Kerry late Friday as "arrogant" and "insolent."
"John Kerry threatens Venezuela with more violence, with his statements gives the green light to violent groups to attack our people," Maduro wrote.
The top US diplomat yesterday condemned Venezuela's "unacceptable" use of force against anti-government protesters, and declined to respond to a call from Caracas for bilateral talks.
"The government's use of force and judicial intimidation against citizens and political figures, who are exercising a legitimate right to protest, is unacceptable and will only increase the likelihood of violence," Kerry said.
At least nine people have been killed, 104 injured and 137 arrested in weeks of anti-government street demonstrations in Caracas and other major cities that begin peacefully but have often turned violent.
Pro-government "collectives" have been blamed for attacking demonstrators, who are seen as the biggest test to Maduro since he succeeded leftist icon Hugo Chavez last year.
Maduro, who denies any links to the armed groups, says the protests are part of a "coup d'etat in development" instigated by Washington and conservative ex-Colombian president Alvaro Uribe.
Yesterday, he challenged President Barack Obama to hold a "high-level dialogue" -- an offer Kerry made no mention of in his comments.
