BERLIN, March 7 (FENA/AA) – Venezuela on Wednesday ordered Germany’s ambassador to leave the country after he expressed support for opposition leader Juan Guaido.
Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza accused Daniel Kriener of “repeated acts of interference in the country’s internal affairs” and posted a government statement on Twitter saying he has 48 hours to leave the country.
The ambassador “has been declared persona non grata,” a spokesman for Germany’s Foreign Ministry said, adding the German government is in talks with its partners on the matter.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas later said in a statement that Venezuela’s move to expel a German diplomat “is an incomprehensible decision which aggravates the situation and does not contribute to de-escalation”.
Maas hailed Kriener’s recent work in Caracas and said Germany decided to call him back for consultations.
He also said the European Union’s support for Guaido would continue.
