Speaking over the phone, Lavrov added that further “aggressive steps” in the country could have grave consequences.
Pompeo on Tuesday accused Moscow of meddling in the country by continuing to support President Nicolas Maduro, while the Russian Foreign Ministry said the US is waging an “information war” on Venezuela.
White House National Security Advisor John Bolton told reporters Wednesday that “all options” were on the table for the US response to Venezuela, and that the military was “ready to go.”
US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido on Tuesday attempted to launch an uprising, but the effort fizzled when the military refused to defect in large enough numbers. Both pro- and anti-government demonstrators held rallies and street protests across Caracas, some of which led to clashes with security forces.