US says breakdown in talks led to pullout

CARACAS (AP):

The United States says it is pulling its last remaining diplomats from Venezuela, saying their continued presence at the embassy in Caracas had become a “constraint” on US policy as the Trump administration aggressively looks to oust socialist President Nicolás Maduro.

The announcement from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a tweet shortly before midnight Monday, came as Venezuela struggles to restore electricity following five days of blackouts around the country.

Venezuela’s government said yesterday that the decision followed a breakdown in negotiations and continued hostility from Washington.

Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said the continued presence of the US diplomats entails risks for the peace, integrity and stability of the country.

“These are the same officials that have systematically lied to the world about Venezuela’s reality and personally have directed fake, flag-waving operations to justify an intervention,” he said in a statement.

Maduro’s government in January cut ties with the US over its recognition of opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s rightful leader. US officials rejected that on the rationale that Maduro had no authority to take such a step.

Maduro’s government later retreated and allowed a skeletal staff to remain at the hilltop US Embassy in Caracas as the two countries attempted to negotiate an agreement to allow some sort of representation.

The failure of those talks is likely to aggravate tensions between the two countries.

Pompeo said the remaining diplomats would be out of Venezuela by the end of the week, but gave no indication of future policy steps, despite past warnings that “all options” — including the use of military force — are on the table for removing Maduro.

The move came after another day of chaos as power outages that began last Thursday left Venezuelans with scant electricity, water and communications, abruptly worsening conditions in a nation already struggling with hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine.

People converged on a polluted river to fill water bottles in Caracas, and scattered protests erupted in several cities.