"We are recovering and protecting the assets of the Venezuelan people to stop the usurper regime from continuing to steal from and destroy them as it has in the last 20 years," Vecchio said.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, who is loyal to embattled President Nicolas Maduro
Venezuela's attempt at producing a Muammar Qadaffy..., denounced the "forced and illegal occupation."
In a statement on Twitter, the Venezuelan government branded the action an "extremely serious violation of the US government's international obligations," and threatened to take reciprocal action in Venezuela.
The ambassador said that in the coming days, his mission would take possession of the Venezuelan embassy, although its accounts are frozen.
A source close to Vecchio said the opposition-controlled National Assembly would have to approve their use.