Citing the “hostile” reactions of the governments of France, Italy, and the Netherlands to Nicolas Maduro’s inauguration for a third term as president, Venezuela announced on Tuesday that it would reduce the number of authorized ambassadors in these embassies.
The diplomats—no more than three per nation—would also require “written authorization… to travel more than 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Plaza Bolivar” in the capital, Caracas, according to the Venezuelan foreign ministry.
Maduro, 62, is at odds with the West and a number of Latin American nations over his contested claim to have won a second six-year term in elections held on July 28. He is also frequently accused of embezzlement.
France, Italy, and the Netherlands strongly denounced Maduro’s government last week, while the US, EU, G7, and a number of democratic countries have refused to acknowledge his reelection.
Yvan Gil, the foreign minister of Venezuela, accused the three nations on Telegram on Tuesday of “supporting extremist groups” and “interfering in the internal affairs of the country.”
He stated that the embassies must each cut their number of accredited diplomats to three within 48 hours.
Any excursion beyond the capital will now need a government permit due to the new travel limitations. The Plaza Bolivar is 23 kilometers from Simon Bolivar International Airport, which serves Caracas.
“Venezuela demands respect for sovereignty and self-determination… especially from those subordinated to the directives of Washington,” Gil wrote.
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