‘We are Chavistas until death’

With Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro facing criticism from around Latin America and the world amid a deepening political crisis, Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona said he was willing to fight for the embattled leftist regime.

“We are Chavistas until death,” Maradona wrote on his official Facebook page on Monday night, using a term to refer to supporters of late former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

“When Maduro orders, I am dressed as a soldier for a free Venezuela, to fight against the imperialism and those who want to take our flags, which is the most sacred thing we have.

“Long live the revolution!!!” he wrote.

The defiant declaration brought a quick response from Maradona’s former team mate on the national side, Mario Kempes. Kempes, who was top goalscorer when Argentina won the 1978 World Cup, called Maradona out on twitter.

“@DiegoMaradona how can you support the death of 124 young people who defended liberty and democracy in their country,” Kempes wrote.