Edmundo González, recognized by the U.S. as Venezuela’s president-elect, is on a mission to bolster global support before strongman Nicolás Maduro is sworn in this week.

Tensions have been growing in Venezuela ahead of Thursday's rallies in which opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has promised to end months of hiding to meet her supporters on the street. (AP/ Andr

CARACAS/ASUNCION (Reuters) -Venezuela broke off diplomatic relations with Paraguay on Monday, with Paraguay expelling Venezuela's diplomats in the country in return, a day after Paraguayan President Santiago Pena expressed support for Venezuela's opposition.

Opponents of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro will take to the streets Thursday, in a last-ditch bid to prevent him from being sworn in for a highly controversial third term as president.Ruling party loyalists have also taken to the streets in a blunt warning to their opponents.

Two U.S. citizens have been arrested in Venezuela, part of a group of seven who President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday branded as "mercenaries," in the latest roundup ahead of the embattled leader's expected inauguration to a new term later this week.

The opposition has published ballot box-level tallies that it says show a resounding victory for its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who is now on a regional tour to promote the oppos