The Venezuelan government announced on Monday that it had sent a written protest to the French ambassador to Caracas, Romain Nadal, accusing him of interfering in his internal affairs after the diplomat received opposition leader Juan Guaido in his return from an international tour. " Ambassador Nadal has abused the privileges granted him by the Venezuelan state because of his status as a diplomat " and " his recent action violates international conventions on customs and practices that regulate peaceful relations between nations " , said a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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The text considers that by receiving the leader of the opposition to Nicolas Maduro, recognized by France and sixty countries as interim president, the diplomat participated " in a clear strategy of provocation, interference and interference in internal affairs ”. The message was sent to the embassy by the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Yván Gil.
Friday, at a press conference, Socialist President Nicolas Maduro had already accused Nadal of " seriously " interfering in the internal affairs of the country. Maduro said the chancellery was studying his response, without ruling out an expulsion like the one that hit German ambassador Daniel Kriener in March 2019. He had been declared " persona non grata " for having welcomed Mr. Guaidó, who was returning from abroad, at Caracas airport. Mr. Kriener returned to his position in July.
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The President of the National Assembly, recognized as acting president by nearly 60 countries, returned on Tuesday from a 23-day tour during which he notably met the French presidents Emmanuel Macron and American President Donald Trump. Several members of the diplomatic corps were waiting for him upon his arrival at the airport.