Top US diplomat in Venezuela under fire for tough comments

CARACAS: The head of Venezuela's government-controlled meeting has accused the top US diplomat in Caracas of marketing a coup and threatened to take "corresponding diplomatic measures" in opposition to him however stopped in need of pronouncing he can be expelled.

National Constituent Assembly president Delcy Rodriguez issued a chain of tweets targeting US charge d'affaires Todd Robinson. They practice the discharge of an interview he gave a neighborhood on-line publication essential of the Venezuelan government.

Relations have long been irritating between the United States and Venezuela, an oil-rich nation in a deepening political and financial disaster.

Robinson told the publication RunRunes that it's imaginable Washington could ratchet up sanctions in opposition to Venezuela's essential oil sector, on top of sanctioning dozens of key government officers, corresponding to President Nicolas Maduro.

"Everything is on the table," Robinson mentioned.

"Undoubtedly, the sanctions have been effective so far at identifying members of the regime who are corrupt or those who have played a role against Venezuela's institutions and Constitution."

Robinson criticized the electoral process forward of presidential elections on April 22, when Maduro will seek a 2nd term. He mentioned Venezuela's military has a big influence at the nation's long term, however he walked a tremendous line adding that as a diplomat he does not fortify coups.

Pushing back, Rodriguez mentioned the National Constituent Assembly will overview Robinson's feedback prior to adopting "corresponding diplomatic measures in defense of the sovereignty and dignity Venezuelan's people."

She accused Robinson of violating global regulation and mentioned he's accountable of being ignorant of Venezuela.

The US State Department declined a request by means of The Associated Press for comment Thursday.

In his long diplomatic career Robinson has worked in Colombia, Bolivia, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. He earned a reputation for speaking out as ambassador to Guatemala and a number of other times faced calls for his expulsion.

Days after touchdown in Caracas less than three months ago, america Embassy posted a comment on Twitter calling the new National Constituent Assembly "illegitimate," pronouncing it engages in undemocratic practices and is "inventing rules" as it goes.

Rodriguez retorted that Robinson began his new diplomatic assignment on "the wrong foot."

More not too long ago, Robinson accused Venezuelan government of unjustly preserving Joshua Holt, a Utah man jailed on guns fees. Robinson mentioned Holt's case is the principle obstacle to improving strained relations between the 2 countries.