MOSCOW, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Russia on Thursday urged the U.S. administration not to make a "fatal mistake" on Venezuela, warning of unpredictable consequences for the Western Hemisphere.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry called on Washington to "refrain from further escalating the situation, which could lead to unpredictable consequences for the entire Western Hemisphere."

The ministry reiterated Russia's support for the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, emphasizing the need to protect national interests and sovereignty and to ensure that Latin America remains a zone of peace. ■