Nicolás Maduro

Caracas have not previously given a number for those killed, but the army posted a list of 23 names of its dead.

“Obviously, it’s the beginning of the end of the Chávez era, but the job has not been finished,” a source told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on Tuesday.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US plans to stabilize Venezuela, secure access for US oil companies, and oversee a political transition, drawing sharp Democratic criticism.

Nation-states, including the US and Israel in the past, often pursue multiple goals and prepare for scenarios that may be contradictory.

Venezuelans rejoiced at Maduro’s removal, seeing the end of a criminal regime, while critics far from the country condemned the action by the US.

Graham made the comments during a FOX News interview as the death toll of Iranian protesters at the hands of security forces continues to climb.

The US and Venezuela reached a deal to export up to $2 billion in crude to the US, with President Donald Trump saying the move would divert oil from China and ease pressure on Venezuelan production.

The El Pais passage, which has now been edited, read "Hellerstein... he has issued well-reasoned rulings and strived to maintain impartiality, despite being a member of the Jewish community."

Moscow's foreign ministry said in a statement that it welcomed the Venezuelan authorities' efforts to protect their sovereignty and national interests.

Trump appears to hope to work with interim President Delcy Rodriguez and other senior officials from Maduro's government, disappointing the opposition and contributing to the country's nervousness.