Venezuela president expels three US consular officials
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro is expelling three US consular officials, accusing them of meeting students involved in antigovernment protests.
The country has seen growing political tension and rallies, with three protesters dying in clashes last week.
An arrest warrant has been issued for opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who has pledged to lead a march in the capital Caracas on Tuesday.
The US has expressed concern about arrests of opposition protesters.
Mr Maduro did not name the US officials being expelled when he made the announcement in a national TV broadcast, but said the foreign ministry would give details later.
“It’s a group of US functionaries who are in the universities. We’ve been watching them having meetings in the private universities for two months. They work in visas,” the president said.
“Venezuela doesn’t take orders from anyone!” he added. On Saturday, US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement expressing concern about the rising tensions in Venezuela.
“We are particularly alarmed by reports that the Venezuelan government has arrested or detained scores of antigovernment protesters and issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez,” read the statement.
The main opposition grievances are high inflation, crime and the shortage of some staples.
The government has blamed the shortages on “saboteurs” and “profit-hungry corrupt businessmen”.
Mr Lopez was last seen on Wednesday, when three men were shot dead at the end of opposition protests in the capital.
The president says an arrest warrant was issued for Mr Lopez shortly after the incidents. Mr Maduro has accused Mr Lopez of inciting violence as part of a coup plot against his leftwing government.