Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has launched a blistering attack on the United States, using a major campaign rally to demand the immediate closure of its embassy in the capital, Caracas.
In a fiery televised speech ahead of the 28th July presidential election, Maduro accused the US government of using its diplomatic mission as a command centre for funding opposition plots and destabilising his government. He claimed the embassy had become a threat to Venezuela's sovereignty and must be shut down.
Washington's Swift Rebuttal
The response from Washington was swift and firm. A spokesperson for the US State Department flatly rejected the accusations, stating the US does not interfere in Venezuela's electoral process. The official reaffirmed the US commitment to supporting the Venezuelan people's aspirations for a democratic future.
The diplomatic spat centres on the US's critical stance on the upcoming vote. US officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols, have repeatedly expressed concerns about the fairness of the electoral process and the integrity of Venezuela's electoral institutions.
A Pattern of Accusations
This is not the first time Maduro has targeted US diplomatic presence. His administration has a history of levelling accusations of American-backed conspiracies, often without providing public evidence. This latest demand, however, represents a significant escalation in rhetoric that could have serious practical consequences for diplomatic relations and consular services for citizens of both nations.
The escalating war of words sets a tense backdrop for the July election, which many in the international community are watching closely for signs of democratic integrity or further regression.
