US Vice President Joe Biden Reps Says Accusations by President Nicolas Maduro Are Meant to Distract From Venezuela Problems

The United States has dismissed recent allegations by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that accuse U.S. Vice President Joe Biden of conspiring to overthrow his government as "patently false" and a ploy to distract attention away from Maduro's abuse of power.

Tension mounted between the two government officials after Maduro publicly denounced Biden on Sunday for allegedly telling other world leaders and Caribbean prime ministers about a plan to remove him from power during an energy summit held in Washington, D.C., last week, EFE reports.

"The imperial power of the North has entered a dangerous phase of desperation, and they have gone on to speak to governments of the hemisphere to announce the overthrow of my government. I accuse U.S. Vice President Joe Biden of having personally talked with presidents and prime ministers," Maduro said at a televised rally.

In response, Biden's office released a statement condemning Maduro's remarks.

"President Maduro's accusations are patently false and are clearly part of an effort to distract from the concerning situation in Venezuela, which includes repeated violations of freedom of speech, assembly, and due process," reads the statement, according to The Guardian.

A State Department spokesperson also said Maduro's comments were "unfounded and false."

"Such accusations divert attention from Venezuela's own actions by blaming the United States or other members of the international community for what is occurring inside Venezuela," the spokesperson said.

This exchange between Venezuela and the U.S. diminishes the chances of the two countries making progress in mending their strained relations. It is also a far jump from the promising discussions that Maduro and Biden had last month while in Brazil for an impromptu meeting. According to reports, the two leaders were seen shaking hands and expressed an interest in warmer relations on New Year's Day. Maduro also described the meeting as "cordial."

U.S.-Venezuelan relations declined starting in 1999 after Maduro's mentor and predecessor Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez came into power. As a result, the U.S. and Venezuela have not exchanged ambassadors for the past four years.