Venezuela takes jab at Brazil in spat over election

CARACAS: Venezuela said Saturday it was revoking permission for Brazil to represent Argentina´s interests here in the messy aftermath of President Nicolas Maduro´s disputed re-election. Venezuela became furious when Argentina joined other Latin American countries in asking for a complete review of the results of the July 28 election.

Argentina was among seven Latin American countries whose diplomatic staff were asked to leave Caracas as Venezuela severed relations with those nations. Brazil, led by fellow leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, later agreed to take over custody of the Argentine embassy, where six people loyal to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado have been sheltering since March to escape arrest on conspiracy charges. But on Saturday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said Caracas was immediately revoking its permission for Brazil to keep custody of the embassy and represent Argentine interests in this troubled though oil-rich country. He said Venezuela had evidence that the embassy was being used to plan “terrorist actions” and even assassination attempts against Maduro. The Venezuelan opposition said Saturday morning that the Argentine embassy was under siege and electricity had been cut off.

Vehicles of the Venezuelan security forces have encircled the compound since Friday night. Venezuela has been plunged into political crisis since authorities announced Maduro the victor of the July 28 election. The opposition has cried foul, claiming it had evidence its candidate had won by a comfortable margin.