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Venezuela expels three US diplomats over 'sabotage' | Venezuela expels three US diplomats over 'sabotage' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Venezuela has announced it is expelling three US diplomats, whom it accuses of plotting to sabotage the economy. | Venezuela has announced it is expelling three US diplomats, whom it accuses of plotting to sabotage the economy. |
President Nicolas Maduro said the diplomats have 48 hours to leave the country, saying "Yankees, go home!" | President Nicolas Maduro said the diplomats have 48 hours to leave the country, saying "Yankees, go home!" |
Mr Maduro says he has evidence that the trio took part in a power-grid sabotage in September and had bribed Venezuelan companies to cut down production. | Mr Maduro says he has evidence that the trio took part in a power-grid sabotage in September and had bribed Venezuelan companies to cut down production. |
The United States and Venezuela have been without ambassadors in each other's capitals since 2010. | The United States and Venezuela have been without ambassadors in each other's capitals since 2010. |
The diplomats expelled have been named as Kelly Keiderling - the charge d'affaires and the most senior US diplomat in Caracas - David Moo and Elizabeth Hoffman. | |
``We completely reject the Venezuelan government's allegations of US government involvement in any type of conspiracy to destabilize the Venezuela government,'' the embassy said in a statement. | |
It said it had not yet been officially notified of the Venezuelan government decision to expel the three diplomats. | |
Mr Maduro made the announcement during an official ceremony at the city of Santa Ana. | |
"Out of Venezuela! Yankees go home! Enough of abuse against the dignity of a peace-loving nation," he said. | |
Venezuela is facing a shortage of several goods, including toilet paper, sugar and flour. | Venezuela is facing a shortage of several goods, including toilet paper, sugar and flour. |
The opposition blames Mr Maduro's left-wing policies and rhetoric for the crisis. | The opposition blames Mr Maduro's left-wing policies and rhetoric for the crisis. |
'New York plot' | 'New York plot' |
Relations between the two countries have been bad for over a decade. | Relations between the two countries have been bad for over a decade. |
For years, the late President Hugo Chavez denounced "American imperialism" in Latin America. | For years, the late President Hugo Chavez denounced "American imperialism" in Latin America. |
In December 2010, Chavez denied a visa to the man appointed to be US ambassador to Caracas, Larry Palmer, over remarks he had made about involvement between the Venezuelan government and Colombian Farc rebels. | In December 2010, Chavez denied a visa to the man appointed to be US ambassador to Caracas, Larry Palmer, over remarks he had made about involvement between the Venezuelan government and Colombian Farc rebels. |
"Anyone who comes here as an ambassador has to show respect. This is a country that must be respected," Chavez said at the time. | |
The US retaliated and expelled the Venezuelan ambassador to Washington. | The US retaliated and expelled the Venezuelan ambassador to Washington. |
Mr Maduro took office as interim president when Chavez was terminally ill with cancer. He was elected president in April, by a narrow margin, defeating opposition leader Henrique Capriles. | Mr Maduro took office as interim president when Chavez was terminally ill with cancer. He was elected president in April, by a narrow margin, defeating opposition leader Henrique Capriles. |
Mr Maduro's new Foreign Minister, Elias Jaua, met the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, during a regional summit in Guatemala in June. | Mr Maduro's new Foreign Minister, Elias Jaua, met the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, during a regional summit in Guatemala in June. |
They both said they were determined to improve relations, but the good will did not last long. | They both said they were determined to improve relations, but the good will did not last long. |
Last week, Mr Maduro cancelled his scheduled speech at the United Nations Assembly General, saying that his life would be in danger in New York. | Last week, Mr Maduro cancelled his scheduled speech at the United Nations Assembly General, saying that his life would be in danger in New York. |
Mr Maduro accused two former US officials of being behind the "provocations". | Mr Maduro accused two former US officials of being behind the "provocations". |
"The US government knows exactly that these people were behind a dangerous activity being plotted in New York," he said. | "The US government knows exactly that these people were behind a dangerous activity being plotted in New York," he said. |