Venezuela's Maduro announces termination of diplomatic ties with neighbor Colombia
President Nicolas Maduro announced Saturday he was severing diplomatic ties with Venezuela's neighbor Colombia after it backed his rival Juan Guaido in his attempts to bring humanitarian aid into the country. "I have decided to break off all political and diplomatic relations with the fascist government of Colombia," Maduro told a huge rally of his supporters in the capital Caracas. He gave Colombia's diplomats 24 hours to leave the country. "Get out of here, oligarchs!" he said.
- World
- Reuters
- Published Date: 11:20 | 23 February 2019
- Modified Date: 11:20 | 23 February 2019
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Satuday his government had broken relations with Colombia and would expel some Colombian diplomatic staff after Colombia assisted the opposition's efforts to bring humanitarian aid into the country.
"Patience is exhausted, I can't bare it anymore, we can't keep putting up with Colombian territory being used for attacks against Venezuela. For that reason, I have decided to break all political and diplomatic relations with Colombia's fascist government," Maduro said in a speech.
He said the ambassador and consular staff would have to leave Venezuela within 24 hours.