Venezuela Withdraws Diplomat From Seven Countries Commenting On The Results Of The Presidential Election

JAKARTA - The Venezuelan government has recalled its diplomats from Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and Chile, who have refused to recognize President Nicolas Maduro's re-elect.

"The government of the Republic of Bolivariant Venezuela has decided to recall all members of its diplomatic missions in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay because of the heinous precedent, which is an attack on our sovereignty, and also demands that the governments of these countries call home diplomats from Venezuela," Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, as reported by TASS on July 30.

The ministry condemned the statements of these countries regarding the election of the President of Venezuela as interference in domestic affairs.

"The Venezuelan government has the right to take political and legal steps to guarantee the protection of the right to self-determine. The Venezuelan government will fight any activity that threatens peaceful coexistence," the ministry stressed.

Venezuela held a presidential election on July 28. According to the National Election Council, 80 percent of ballots have been counted.

Incumbent Maduro got 51.2 percent of the vote. Meanwhile, his competitor,fo Gonzalez, who represented the far-right parties, received 44.2 percent of the vote.

However, later Maduro and Gonzales both claimed victory in elections, when the United States and a number of countries doubted the official election results.

It is not yet known exactly what the next opposition move will be. Gonzalez also said he did not call for his supporters to take to the streets or commit any acts of violence.