MOSCOW/ BEIJING — Russia on Thursday slammed what it called foreign interference in Venezuela and denounced the opposition’s “usurpation of power”, calling President Nicolas Maduro the crisis-hit country’s legitimate leader.

In a strongly-worded statement backing Moscow ally Maduro, the Russian foreign ministry warned that international support for opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president Wednesday, was a “direct path to lawlessness and bloodshed”.

“Only Venezuelans have the right to determine their future. Destructive outside interference, especially in the current extremely tense situation, is unacceptable,” it said.

In a separate statement to reporters, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman slammed attempts by the opposition to usurp power.

“We consider the attempted usurpation of power in Venezuela as... a breach of the foundations of international law,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a conference call.

“Maduro is the legitimate head of state,” he added.

Moscow warned Washington against any attempts to militarily intervene in Venezuela.

“We caution against any such reckless steps fraught with catastrophic consequences,” the foreign ministry said.

Moscow said Washington’s “cavalier” actions in the country showed that the United States ignored norms of international law, claiming it wanted to push through a change of power in Venezuela.

Russia has extensive economic interests in Venezuela and invested billions of dollars in its energy sector.

China also opposed external interference in Venezuelan politics on Thursday.

“China has consistently pursued the principle of not interfering with other countries’ internal politics, and opposes the interference (in) Venezuelan affairs by external forces,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a press briefing in Beijing.

“We are paying close attention to the current situation in Venezuela and are calling on all parties to remain rational and calm, and to seek a political resolution to Venezuela’s problem through peaceful dialogue within Venezuela’s constitutional framework,” Hua added.

Asked whether China recognizes Maduro, Hua recalled that Beijing had sent a representatives to his inauguration earlier this month.

“We support the efforts made by the Venezuelan government to maintain the country’s sovereignty, independence, and stability,” she added.

Major regional players Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru and Argentina all gave their backing to Guaido’s self-proclamation as acting president.

The European Union called for free elections to restore democracy.

After US President Donald Trump recognized Guaido as interim leader, Maduro said he was cutting off diplomatic ties with Washington and gave US diplomats 72 hours to depart.

The US State Department responded by saying “former president Maduro” did not have the authority to sever relations.

Meanwhile, Turkey joined Russia and several other countries which came out in support of Maduro, with presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin writing on Twitter that Erdogan told Maduro Turkey would support him.

“My brother Maduro! Stand tall, we stand by you!” Kalin quoted Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan as telling Maduro. “Under the leadership of President Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey will maintain its principled stance against all coup attempts. #WeAreMADURO,” Kalin said.

Economic and political ties between Ankara and Caracas have grown stronger, with Erdogan criticising sanctions against Venezuela during a visit there last month, without directly mentioning the United States or President Donald Trump.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the United States and other Latin American countries have constantly meddled in Venezuela’s internal affairs.

“There is an elected president and on the other hand the head of congress declares himself de facto president. Some countries recognized this. This may cause chaos,” Cavusoglu told the A Haber news channel.

Many Turks voiced support for Maduro on social media using the hashtag, #WeAreMaduro. One posted an image of Maduro picking up a small Turkish flag and another one of him holding the flag of a historic Turkish clan.

“You’re not alone, big-hearted man. Turkey is with you,” another wrote. — Agencies