Handout picture released by the Venezuelan Presidency of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro showing the passports of two US citizens arrested by security forces during a video conference meeting with international media correspondents, at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, on May 6, 2020. (Photo by AFP)

Venezuelan authorities on Wednesday stressed on the country�s stance on defending its sovereignty and security against all forms of aggression orchestrated by the US administration. Top officials of the Latin American nation have declared that the judiciary will proceed with the legal prosecution of the two American paramilitaries who took part in a mercenary operation against President Nicolas Maduro.

The statement by Caracas came in response to the remarks by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who said that Washington will use every tool to bring back home the two detained Americans.

But despite the US pressure, Venezuela�s top officials stressed that dealing with this criminal case will be within the framework of the Venezuelan constitution.

Meanwhile the opposition in the country has decried the management of this case.

The United States argues that the presence of Americans in the Latin American country has nothing to do with Washington. But Russia rejected the US claim, describing the denial as unconvincing.

US-Venezuela tensions are once again on the rise as Washington tries to free those who President Maduro calls US mercenaries from criminal liability. Caracas says they will be punished for their crimes according to the Venezuelan law.

SOURCE: PRESS TV