Netherlands revokes two Venezuelan diplomatic posts

The Netherlands on Wednesday ordered Venezuela to cut its diplomatic staff in the country from four to two after Caracas announced restrictions on envoys from several European countries.

Caracas’s charge d’affaires “was instructed to reduce the Venezuelan diplomatic staff from four to two people, which is a proportionate response to the diplomatic measure imposed on the Netherlands,” Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said in a letter to parliament.

Veldkamp’s move came a day after Venezuela said it would impose restrictions on the Netherlands, France and Italy, citing the countries’ “hostile” responses to Nicolas Maduro’s presidential inauguration, widely rejected as a power grab.

In a move branded an “escalation” by the Dutch government, Venezuela’s foreign ministry announced it would limit the number of accredited diplomats to three for each of the countries.

Those remaining would also need “written authorisation… to travel more than 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Plaza Bolivar” in the capital Caracas.

“An objection was lodged against the imposed travel restriction and it was stated that, if this measure is actually maintained, I will consider further measures here in the Netherlands,” Veldkamp said.

“Finally, the Netherlands strongly distances itself from the notion that it has interfered in domestic affairs and has provided support to extremist groups,” the minister added.

Maduro, 62, is embroiled in a standoff with the West and several Latin American countries over his disputed claim to have won another six year-term in July 28 elections he is widely accused of stealing.

The United States, European Union, G7 and several democratic neighbours have refused to recognise his reelection. France, Italy and the Netherlands last week loudly condemned Maduro’s administration.