Venezuela’s Maduro expels two US envoys over ‘conspiracy’

Venezuela ordered the expulsion of the two senior US diplomats on Tuesday, saying it was the victim of a “political and financial lynching” after Washington tightened sanctions over President Nicolas Maduro’s re-election.

Mr Maduro announced the expulsions after being officially proclaimed the winner of Sunday’s election in the South American nation mired in economic crisis and facing growing international isolation.

The vote was boycotted by the main opposition parties and widely condemned by the international community, including the US, which denounced it as a sham.

The Venezuelan president declared US charge d’affaires Todd Robinson and deputy head of mission Brian Naranjo “personae non gratae”.

“They must leave the country in 48 hours in protest and in defence of the dignity of the Venezuelan homeland,” Mr Maduro said. “Enough of conspiracies.”

The US immediately threatened to retaliate. A State Department official said that Washington had “not received notification from the Venezuelan government through diplomatic channels” but that if the expulsions were confirmed, “the US may take appropriate reciprocal action”.

In anticipation that Venezuela’s charge d’affaires in Washington Carlos Ron would be expelled, he was appointed vice minister of foreign affairs for North America.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump tightened sanctions against Caracas, making it harder for the Maduro regime to sell off state assets.

“I repudiate all the sanctions that are sought against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, because they harm it, they generate suffering for the people of Venezuela,” Mr Maduro said.

He promised to present evidence that both diplomats were engaged in a political, military and economic conspiracy.

Speaking in the western city of Merida, Mr Robinson said: “We strongly reject the accusations against me and against Mr Naranjo.”

Washington and Caracas have not exchanged ambassadors since 2010, and relations between the two countries have been tense since the late leftist president Hugo Chavez, Mr Maduro’s mentor, assumed power in 1999.

The deeply unpopular Mr Maduro was declared the winner with 68 per cent of the vote but with a record abstention rate.

Days before the elections, 11 soldiers were arrested for planning destabilising actions against Mr Maduro. They were sent to prison on Tuesday, the Foro Penal group said.

Venezuelans are reeling under hyperinflation projected by the IMF to reach 13,800 per cent this year and dire shortages of food and medicine.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the country to escape the growing deprivations.