US officials say they will not withdraw diplomats from Venezuela in three days — despite President Nicolas Maduro ordering them to do so after the Trump administration recognized an opposition leader as president of the country.

“The United States does not recognize the Maduro regime as the government of Venezuela,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement Wednesday night. “Accordingly the United States does not consider former president Nicolas Maduro to have the legal authority to break diplomatic relations with the United States or to declare our diplomats persona non grata.”

The announcement comes after the Latin American country descended into chaos on Wednesday, with a sea of protesters taking to the streets of Caracas to call for Maduro to step down.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the interim president amidst the demonstrations — and the Trump administration recognized him as the leader of the country.

Maduro responded on Wednesday by saying Venezuela is severing ties with the United States and ordering all US diplomats out of the country in the next 72 hours.

“The United States will take appropriate actions to hold accountable anyone who endangers the safety and security of our mission and its personnel,” Pompeo warned in his statement.