INTERNATIONAL support and solidarity poured in for the democratically elected President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro against a new attempt to overthrow his government.

Imperialist countries have lined up to back self-appointed interim president Juan Guarido, the previously unheard of unelected usurper who is now being portrayed as the upholder of democracy.

However, Bolivian President Evo Morales warned of an “imperialist attack” against the sovereignty of Venezuela.

“Our solidarity is with the Venezuelan people and Nicolas Maduro, in these decisive hours when the claws of imperialism are once again trying to deal a death blow to democracy and self-determination of the peoples of South America. We will not be the backyard of the US again,” he said.

In a statement, the Nicaraguan government, which has faced similar attempts at a coup to dislodge democratically elected President Daniel Ortega, reaffirmed its solidarity and support for Mr Maduro.

“The great homeland does not bend, it stands proud, with the love of its peoples. Here, no-one surrenders! Viva Venezuela! Viva Chavez! Viva Nicolas! Forward, with faith and hope!”

“Brothers in arms of Alba, we are all Venezuela, Caribbean-Latin American, cradle of great and luminous beings, vindicating our dignity and greatness before the empire,” the statement said.

Russia warned against plans to “usurp” Mr Maduro and said the coup attempt was illegal and a “direct path to bloodshed.”

A Russian Foreign Ministry statement said: “We view the presumptuous actions of Washington as another demonstration of its total disregard for the norms and principles of international law and an attempt to play the self-assumed role of arbiter of the fate of other peoples. 

“There is an obvious wish to apply in Venezuela the time-tested scenarios of toppling unwelcome governments.”

China also voiced support for Mr Maduro, with government spokeswoman Hua Chunying saying that Beijing “opposes external intervention in Venezuela.”