U.S. expels three Venezuelan diplomats in tit-for-tat retaliation

The United States has expelled three Venezuelan diplomats, including the South American country's top envoy in Washington, the State Department has said.

The move from the United States came after Caracas expelled three American officials from the country on charges of sabotaging the economy.

The diplomats, who include charge d'affaires Calixto Ortega Rios, have been given 48 hours to leave.

The other Venezuelan diplomats being expelled are Second Secretary Monica Alejandra Sanchez Morales at the Washington embassy, and Consul Marisol Gutierrez de Almeida at the Houston consulate.

According to the BBC, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had accused the US diplomats of plotting to sabotage the economy.

He said he had evidence they took part in power-grid sabotage in September and had bribed firms to cut production.

However, the US State Department rejected the allegations.

An official said that it is regrettable that the Venezuelan government has again decided to expel US diplomatic officials based on groundless allegations, which require reciprocal action, the report added.