ANKARA, Turkey - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says Turkey is giving Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro its continued support and intends to deepen co-operation with Venezuela “in all fields” despite U.S. pressure.

Cavusoglu spoke Monday during a joint news conference in Turkey with Venezuela’s foreign affairs minister, Jorge Arreaza.

Turkey has become one of Maduro’s biggest backers, along with Russia, China and Cuba. The United States and dozens of nations in Latin America and Europe are supporting Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido.

The two foreign ministers criticized U.S. sanctions on Venezuela that have also targeted the country’s gold trade.

Arreaza said Turkey and Venezuela would “work continuously” to find alternative ways to increase trade.

Cavusoglu said “it is out of the question for us to see the hardships of the Venezuelan people and not to trade with that country.”