Venezuela expels Spanish diplomat

Venezuela is to expel Spain’s ambassador in response to “aggressions,” days after the EU imposed sanctions on senior officials of President Nicolas Maduro’s government.

The declaration of Jesus Silva Fernandez “persona non grata” came in response to Madrid’s “continual aggressions and repeated meddling in the internal affairs,” of Venezuela, a Maduro spokesman said.

The EU announced sanctions on seven government members on Monday for alleged abuses of rights and democracy.