Venezuela Expels Diplomat, Brazil's Flag Raised At The Argentine Embassy In Caracas

UNSPLASH/Fernando ILLUSTRATION Dantas

JAKARTA - The Brazilian flag was flown at the residence of the Argentine ambassador to Venezuela in Caracas, according to a Reuters witness, after Argentine diplomats were expelled from the country.

Previously, the Venezuelan government recalled its diplomats from Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and Chile, who had 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," the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

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.