Venezuela expels diplomatic personnel from seven Latin American countries
(VOVWORLD) - Venezuela on Monday asked Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay to recall their diplomats accredited in Venezuela because those countries haven’t accepted the results of Venezuela’s presidential election.
 Venezuela's Foreign Minister Ivan Gil (Photo:AP) |
Foreign Minister Ivan Gil demanded the immediate withdrawal of all representatives from these seven countries, accusing their governments of "interference" in its internal affairs.
After the presidential election held Sunday, President Nicolas Maduro declared himself re-elected to a third six-year term. Gil said the Venezuelan government reserves all legal and political means to preserve and defend Venezuela’s inalienable right to self-determination.
President of Panama Jose Raul Mulino said his government will suspend diplomatic relations with Venezuela until a full audit of the voting has been conducted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday congratulated Maduro on winning the election, and the Kremlin said it is ready to cooperate in all areas.