Uruguay considers the expulsion of its diplomats from Venezuela unjustified and disproportionate

The Government of Uruguay considers the measure taken by Venezuela to expel its diplomatic personnel from the country to be “unjustified and disproportionate.”

“This is an unjustified and disproportionate measure that responds untimely to the legitimate concern expressed by our country and the international community regarding the irregularities and lack of transparency noted in the electoral process,” said a statement issued on Tuesday by the Foreign Ministry.

In this regard, he added that the decision leaves “thousands of Venezuelans who have had to leave their homeland in recent years and who have found their permanent place of residence in Uruguay” “unprotected.”

“Uruguay will continue to demand, in the appropriate spheres, a transparent, internationally audited and arbitrated vote count that reliably reflects the will of the Venezuelan people who this Sunday, July 28, expressed themselves in a massive and peaceful manner at the polls to democratically elect their authorities,” the statement concludes.

The Venezuelan government on Monday demanded that Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay “immediately withdraw their representatives from Venezuelan territory,” in rejection of their “interventionist actions and statements” regarding this Sunday’s presidential elections.

Likewise, according to an official statement, the Executive of Nicolás Maduro decided to “withdraw all diplomatic personnel from the missions” in these seven Latin American countries.

“Venezuela reserves all legal and political actions to enforce, preserve and defend our inalienable right to self-determination,” said the Chavista government, which – it assured – “will confront all actions that threaten the climate of peace and coexistence” of the Caribbean country.

The National Electoral Council officially proclaimed Maduro president on Monday, after announcing on Sunday night that the Chavista, in power since 2013, won the election with 51.2% of the votes, the same result he received when 80% of the ballots had been counted and there were still more than two million votes left to count.

Montevideo / EFE