"Mr. Kerry, we denounce to the whole world, you encourage the violence in Venezuela ... We denounce you as a murderer of the Venezuelan people," Jaua said in a Friday address broadcast by state TV.

He insisted that Kerry fans the flames of the unrest by issuing a declaration whenever Caracas tries to reduce the violence.

"Every time we're about to isolate and reduce the violence, Mr. Kerry comes out with a declaration and immediately the street protests are activated," Jaua was quoted as saying by Reuters.

He also said that Kerry asked him to “lower the tone” when he was in Guatemala, but added that he will not “lower the tone to any empire” until Kerry stops ordering his “lackeys” in Venezuela to do violent actions against people.

Street demonstrations have been held in Venezuela since early February and so far at least 28 people have been killed in the violence.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has also charged Washington with provoking the opposition to launch a coup d’état in the country with US backing.

Maduro said certain US officials are seeking to influence President Barack Obama to adopt an extremist foreign policy against Caracas.

On Thursday, the US Senate introduced a bipartisan bill that compels Obama to target Venezuelan officials, who it says are involved in the country’s violence.

Additionally, Venezuela's chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz slammed Washington for planning to fund anti-government groups.

"There's no doubt that this is to fund the violent actions taking place in Venezuela," Ortega Diaz said, warning that those who receive foreign aid would be prosecuted.

MB/MB