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                     Venezuela Recalls Top Diplomat From US

   by VOA News

   Venezuela's president has recalled the country's top diplomat from the
   United States to protest a U.S. decree imposing sanctions on several
   top officials and calling Venezuela a security threat.

   President Nicolas Maduro made the announcement Wednesday at a ceremony
   organized to condemn the decree, which was made initially last year and
   renewed last week.

   "Enough of the arrogance," Maduro said, complaining also that the
   United States displayed condescension and double standards.

   The decree classifies Venezuela as an "unusual and extraordinary
   threat" to U.S. national security.

   The U.S. and Venezuela have not had ambassador-level diplomatic
   relations since 2010. Venezuela approved charge d'affaires Maximilien
   Arvelaiz as ambassador to Washington last year, but the U.S. Department
   of State has not approved him.

   Relations between the U.S. and Venezuela have been tense for some time
   over Caracas' accusations that the United States meddles in Latin
   American affairs.

   Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government is facing political turmoil at
   home, where the opposition alliance has launched a campaign to oust
   President Maduro. Government figures have painted the opposition's
   plans as an effort to carry out a coup d'etat backed by the United
   States.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/venezuela-recalls-top-diplomat-from-u
   s/3228610.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/venezuela-recalls-top-diplomat-from-us/3228610.html