Diplomatic tension between Spain and Venezuela

Further information:

The situation escalated following Venezuela's decision on 25 January to expel the Spanish ambassador and to consider him persona non grata in the country. This was due to an accusation of interference in internal matters. Spain rejected the allegations and reciprocated on the following day.

The European Union condemned the decision by the Venezuelan authorities and expressed its full solidarity with Spain.

Background information:

The announcement came after the European Union imposed a travel ban and froze the assets of seven senior Venezuelan officials. President Nicolás Maduro accused Spain of pushing for the EU sanctions and plotting to oust him.

+ Decision on sanctions against Venezuelan officials, January 2018

Reports on the deteriorating relations between Spain and Venezuela, involving the expulsion of the respective ambassadors.

EU: EEAS: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the latest developments in Venezuela http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/01/26/declaration-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-eu-on-the-latest-developments-in-venezuela/

BBC News, 26.01.18: Spain expels Venezuela's ambassador in tit-for-tat move http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-42839095

BBC News, 26.01.18: Venezuela expels Spanish ambassador after EU sanctions http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-42827779

Politico, 26.01.18: Spain kicks out Venezuelan ambassador https://www.politico.eu/article/spain-kicks-out-venezuelan-ambassador/

El País, 26.01.18: Spain expels Venezuelan ambassador as crisis with Maduro deepens https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/01/26/inenglish/1516971344_910549.html

TeleSur, 25.01.18: Snubbing Rajoy: Venezuela Expels Spanish Ambassador Over EU Sanctions https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Snubbing-Rajoy-Venezuela-Expels-Spanish-Ambassador-Over-EU-Sanctions-20180125-0012.html

---