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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Venezuela president expels three US consular officials | Venezuela president expels three US consular officials |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro is expelling three US consular officials, accusing them of meeting students involved in anti-government protests. | Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro is expelling three US consular officials, accusing them of meeting students involved in anti-government protests. |
| The country has seen growing political tension and rallies, with three protesters dying in clashes last week. | The country has seen growing political tension and rallies, with three protesters dying in clashes last week. |
| An arrest warrant has been issued for opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who has pledged to lead a march in the capital Caracas on Tuesday. | An arrest warrant has been issued for opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who has pledged to lead a march in the capital Caracas on Tuesday. |
| The US has expressed concern about arrests of opposition protesters. | The US has expressed concern about arrests of opposition protesters. |
| Mr Maduro did not name the US officials being expelled when he made the announcement in a national TV broadcast, but said the foreign ministry would give details later. | Mr Maduro did not name the US officials being expelled when he made the announcement in a national TV broadcast, but said the foreign ministry would give details later. |
| "It's a group of US functionaries who are in the universities. We've been watching them having meetings in the private universities for two months. They work in visas," the president said. | "It's a group of US functionaries who are in the universities. We've been watching them having meetings in the private universities for two months. They work in visas," the president said. |
| "Venezuela doesn't take orders from anyone!" he added. | "Venezuela doesn't take orders from anyone!" he added. |
| On Saturday, US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement expressing concern about the rising tensions in Venezuela. | On Saturday, US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement expressing concern about the rising tensions in Venezuela. |
| "We are particularly alarmed by reports that the Venezuelan government has arrested or detained scores of anti-government protesters and issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez," read the statement. | "We are particularly alarmed by reports that the Venezuelan government has arrested or detained scores of anti-government protesters and issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez," read the statement. |
| The main opposition grievances are high inflation, crime and the shortage of some staples. | The main opposition grievances are high inflation, crime and the shortage of some staples. |
| The government has blamed the shortages on "saboteurs" and "profit-hungry corrupt businessmen". | The government has blamed the shortages on "saboteurs" and "profit-hungry corrupt businessmen". |
| 'Dress in white' | 'Dress in white' |
| Mr Lopez was last seen on Wednesday, when three men were shot dead at the end of opposition protests in the capital. | Mr Lopez was last seen on Wednesday, when three men were shot dead at the end of opposition protests in the capital. |
| The president says an arrest warrant was issued for Mr Lopez shortly after the incidents. | The president says an arrest warrant was issued for Mr Lopez shortly after the incidents. |
| Mr Maduro has accused Mr Lopez of inciting violence as part of a coup plot against his left-wing government. | Mr Maduro has accused Mr Lopez of inciting violence as part of a coup plot against his left-wing government. |
| The opposition say they were killed by pro-government militias known as "colectivos". | The opposition say they were killed by pro-government militias known as "colectivos". |
| Mr Lopez, 42, is a former mayor of Chacao district, in eastern Caracas. He organised the recent protests against the government. | Mr Lopez, 42, is a former mayor of Chacao district, in eastern Caracas. He organised the recent protests against the government. |
| On Sunday morning, police searched the houses of Mr Lopez and his parents. | On Sunday morning, police searched the houses of Mr Lopez and his parents. |
| Hours later, he posted a new message on Twitter and a three-minute video. He said he had not committed any crime and challenged the authorities to arrest him at the next protest. | Hours later, he posted a new message on Twitter and a three-minute video. He said he had not committed any crime and challenged the authorities to arrest him at the next protest. |
| "I want to invite all of you to join me on a march on Tuesday from Venezuela Square [in central Caracas] towards the Justice Ministry building, which has become a symbol of repression, torture and lies," Mr Lopez said on the video. | "I want to invite all of you to join me on a march on Tuesday from Venezuela Square [in central Caracas] towards the Justice Ministry building, which has become a symbol of repression, torture and lies," Mr Lopez said on the video. |
| He called on his supporters to dress in white "to reaffirm our commitment to peace". | He called on his supporters to dress in white "to reaffirm our commitment to peace". |
| Mr Lopez added: "I will be there to show my face. I have nothing to fear. I have not committed any crime. If there is any order to illegally arrest me, well, I will be there." | Mr Lopez added: "I will be there to show my face. I have nothing to fear. I have not committed any crime. If there is any order to illegally arrest me, well, I will be there." |
| Mr Maduro called on oil workers from the PDVSA state company to march to the presidential palace on Tuesday. | Mr Maduro called on oil workers from the PDVSA state company to march to the presidential palace on Tuesday. |