Alwaght- The Venezuelan government has expelled the Spanish ambassador to Venezuela Jesus Silva Fernandez declaring him "Persona Non-Grata" due to "interventions" and "the continuous aggression" committed by the Spanish government against the South American country and infringing "on the sovereignty and independence of the Venezuelan people."
Venezuela will continue "without the interference of imperialist and supremacist powers," according to a statement.
The decision was made after "the continuous aggressions and recurrent acts of interference in the internal affairs of our country by the Spanish Government," Venezuelan government's official statement read.
Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro's decision comes after Spain's Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy expressed his support for the European Union's recent "illegal, coercive" decision of blacklisting seven Venezuelan diplomats, including the country's interior minister, imposing a travel ban and implementing an asset freeze on senior Venezuelan officials, citing "the continuing deterioration of the situation in Venezuela."
Maduro has started his campaign for another term in office with fierce rhetoric against the United States’ meddlesome behavior toward his country, saying US President Donald Trump is “not the boss of Venezuela.”
The Venezuelan leader made the remarks at a campaign rally in the capital, Caracas, late on Tuesday, a day after he confirmed he was prepared to run in elections called by the government-allied Constitutional Assembly earlier than scheduled.
“The people rule in Venezuela, not empires. I’m ready... We’re going to win big,” he said at the rally.
The assembly called for the presidential election to be held in April, bringing the date forward from an initial end-of-the year timetable. The new date now has to be approved by the National Electoral Council.
The 55-year-old Maduro, who came to power after the late Hugo Chavez in 2013, has survived massive anti-government protests during the past two years.
The government says the right-wing opposition is incited by the US to topple his socialist government, hobble the country’s economy, and plunder its oil wealth. Authorities blame foreign sanctions, led by Washington, for the food and medicine shortages in the country. Venezuela now has the highest inflation rate in the world.
