Venezuela demands 7 countries withdraw their diplomatic staff

The Venezuelan government has demanded that 7 Latin American countries "immediately" withdraw their diplomatic staff from Venezuela due to their statements regarding the presidential election.

In a statement issued by the Venezuelan government, it was noted that Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay had used language that constituted interference in the country's internal affairs regarding the presidential election held on July 28, and therefore, it was requested that these countries immediately withdraw their diplomatic representatives from Venezuela.

The statement, which also indicated that the Nicolas Maduro government would withdraw all of its own diplomatic personnel from these 7 countries, included the following remarks:

"Venezuela has the right to self-determination. Venezuela is capable of taking the necessary measures against all these actions that threaten peace and coexistence. We reject in the strongest terms these statements that attempt to ignore the election results."

Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay had expressed their deep concern regarding the presidential election in their statements concerning the elections in Venezuela.

These countries had called on the Organization of American States (OAS) to hold an "urgent" meeting to fully review the results of the elections held in Venezuela.

According to the results announced by the National Electoral Council, Maduro had won the presidential election for the 3rd time with 51.20 percent of the vote.

News Source: AA