Venezuela's president expels three US officials amid protests

The three US officials are being accused of meeting students involved in anti-government protests.

14:39 17 February 2014

Venezuela has seen growing political tensions as residents stage rallies over high inflation and crime among other factors. The rising tension has led to the arrest of anti-government protesters and the issuance of the arrest warrant for opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez who posted a new message on Twitter inviting residents to join a march scheduled on Tuesday – a march he called a symbol of repression, torture, and lies.

Mr Lopez said: "I will be there to show my face. I have nothing to fear. I have not committed any crime. If there is any order to illegally arrest me, well, I will be there."

The news did not seat well with the United States and US Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement that it is ‘alarming’.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro is set to expel three US consular officials who are accused of meeting with students involved in anti-government protests.

Without giving specific details of the identity of the three US officials, Maduro said on national TV: "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.

The president passionately added: "Venezuela doesn't take orders from anyone!"