VENEZUELA HITS OUT AT TOP U. S. DIPLOMAT

Caracas, Feb. 23: The head of Venezuela’s gover nment- controlled assembly has accused the top US diplomat in Caracas of promoting a coup and threatened to take “corresponding diplomatic measures” against him, but stopped short of saying he would be expelled.

National Constituent Assembly president Delcy Rodriguez issued a series of tweets targeting US charge d’affaires Todd Robinson. They follow the release of an interview he gave a local online publication critical of the Venezuelan government.

Mr Robinson told the publication RunRunes that it is possible Washington could ratchet up sanctions against Venezuela’s critical oil sector, on top of sanctioning dozens of key government officials, such as President Nicolas Maduro.

“Everything is on the table,” Robinson said.

“Undoubtedly, the sanctions have been effective so far at identifying members of the regime who are corrupt or those who have played a role against Venezuela’s institutions and Constitution.”

Mr Robinson criticised the electoral process ahead of presidential elections on April 22, when Maduro will seek a second term.

He said Venezuela’s military has a large influence on the country’s future, but he walked a fine line adding that as a diplomat he does not support coups.

Pushing back, Ms Rodriguez said the National Constituent Assembly will evaluate Robinson’s comments before adopting “corresponding diplomatic measures in defense of the sovereignty and dignity Venezuelan’s people.” — AP

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