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The Venezuelan opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, has rejected an offer of talks by President Nicolás Maduro in the midst of a power struggle going on between the two.
Guaidó declared himself "interim president" Wednesday, a position recognized by several countries, including the United States.
But Mr. Maduro called the move a US-influenced "coup d'état" and cut off diplomatic relations in response.
A meeting of the UN Security Council on the crisis is scheduled to be held on Saturday,
In the meantime, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has appointed a former veteran diplomat as special envoy to deal with the crisis in Venezuela.
He added that Elliott Abrams would be responsible for all the efforts made by the United States to restore democracy in Venezuela.
Abrams is a prominent neo-conservative who has long advocated for an activist foreign policy to spread American values around the world.
He served as Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs in the 1980s, under the chairmanship of Ronald Reagan.
President Maduro began a second term earlier this month after the elections were tainted by a boycott of the opposition and vote rigging claims.
The international community is divided on the opportunity to recognize its government.
On Friday, he said he was ready to talk to his rival, but Mr Guaidó rejected the "false dialogues" and said he would consider offering him an amnesty.
Mr. Maduro has so far retained the support of the country's army, but Mr. Guaidó has asked them to "stand on the side of the Venezuelan people" and support him.
He also called for major protests to demand Maduro's resignation next week.
Why is Maduro unpopular?
Venezuela is in economic crisis: hyperinflation and shortages of basic necessities have hit the population hard and caused the flight of millions of people.
Maduro has faced internal opposition and ongoing international criticism for his track record on human rights and his management of the economy.
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Guaidó, who heads Venezuela's elected National Congress, said on Wednesday that the country's constitution allowed him to take power because Maduro's presidency was illegitimate.
He promised to lead a transitional government and hold free elections.
Who supports who?
The United States, plus a dozen countries in Latin America, Canada, and the United Kingdom supported Mr. Guaidó after he declared that he was the legitimate president. .
But Russia condemned foreign support for Guaidó, saying it violated international law and was a "direct route to the bloodshed".
On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the American policy towards Maduro as "destructive".
According to Reuters, Russian military companies have been secretly flown into the country to ensure the safety of the president.
China, Mexico and Turkey have also publicly supported Maduro.
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