Venezuela expels three U.S. diplomats
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 1 October 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Venezuela expels three U.S. diplomats, 1 October 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52610408b.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 01, 2013
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
Venezuela has expelled the top U.S. diplomat in the country and two other U.S. Embassy employees, accusing them of working with political opponents of President Nicolas Maduro's government and seeking to destabilize Venezuela.
Maduro, in a television appearance September 30, said the Americans would have 48 hours to leave.
Maduro said authorities had "detected a group of U.S. embassy officials dedicated to meeting the far-right and to financing and encouraging acts of sabotage against the electrical system and Venezuela's economy."
Critics of Maduro have said government inefficiency is mostly to blame for shortages of some goods and power cuts.
The expulsions affect Kelly Keiderling, the charge d'affaires and top U.S. diplomat in Venezuela.
Venezuela and the United States have not had ambassadors in each other's capitals since 2010, amid long-running tensions.
Based on reports from AP, Reuters and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
