Venezuela declares German ambassador persona non grata

Caracas [Venezuela], Mar 6 (ANI): Venezuela, under the Presidency of Nicolas Maduro, declared the German ambassador persona non grata on Wednesday (local time) for interfering in the internal affairs of the country.
"The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela makes public the decision to declare persona non grata to the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Daniel Kriener, before his recurrent acts of interference in the internal affairs of the country," Jorge Arreaza, Venezuela's Minister of Foreign Affairs tweeted in Spanish.
Amidst the prevailing political turmoil in the South American nation, Germany has supported the United States in recognising Juan Guaido as the President of Venezuela, instead of Maduro, who won the elections - which have been widely decried as rigged - earlier this year.
Kriener has been given 48 hours to leave the country.
Germany has also supported the United States in imposing further sanctions on Venezuela while condemning the Maduro-led government's decision to block US humanitarian aid from entering the country.
Maduro has previously severed relations with Colombia as well, which forced Colombian diplomats to return home on foot. The embattled President had also finished Venezuela's diplomatic relations with the USA after they supported Guaido.
On January 23, opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself as the new President of Venezuela, dismissing Maduro's leadership amidst cheering protesters. The self-proclaimed President's bid was immediately supported by the USA, who recognised him as the interim President of the South American nation and rallied for other countries to support Guaido.
Maduro has held on to his post despite calls for fresh elections by the international community, reinforcing that he would continue being the President of Venezuela. (ANI)