By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu</p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – The head of the Turkish-Venezuelan inter-parliamentary friendship group said Wednesday that Turkey supports Venezuela's democracy.</p> <p>"We back the continuation of democracy in Venezuela, as we back it everywhere in the world," Serkan Bayram told journalists in parliament.</p> <p>Bayram said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government should continue for "the country's stability, peace and security.</p> <p>"We, as the Turkish nation, are always with Mr. Maduro, the Venezuelan nation and democracy," he added.</p> <p>Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10 when President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition.</p> <p>Tensions rose when opposition leader Guaido declared himself acting president on Jan. 23 — a move supported by the U.S. and many European and Latin American countries.</p> <p>Russia, Turkey, China, Iran, Bolivia and Mexico have put their weight behind Maduro.