Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 27 Dec 2017, 05:42 am Print

Brasilia, Dec 27 (JEN): In a major development, Brazil has declared Venezuela's diplomat in the country, Gerardo Delgado, as a persona non grata.
The move was made just days after Venezuela expelled Brazil's own ambassador to Caracas, Ruy Pereira.
According to Venezuelan officials, Pereira was expelled in protest to Brazil's 'illegal impeachment' of its former left-wing president, Dilma Rousseff.
Canada had earlier announced on Monday that it was expelling Venezuelan ambassador Wilmer Barrientos Fernández, after the South American nation ousted Canada's charge d'affaires, accusing him of forceful interference.
Canada's foreign ministry said on Monday, that it would not allow Fernandez, who is already outside the country, to return.
In addition, the Trudeau government will also strip his credentials.
Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement: "The Venezuelan government has announced that Canada’s chargé d’affaires in Caracas has been declared persona non grata and will be expelled from the country. This action is typical of the Maduro regime, which has consistently undermined all efforts to restore democracy and to help the Venezuelan people."
She also announced Venezuelan charge d’affaires, Angel Herrera, persona non grata.
"In response to this move by the Maduro regime, I am announcing that the Venezuelan Ambassador to Canada – who had already been withdrawn by the Venezuelan government to protest Canadian sanctions against Venezuelan officials implicated in corruption and gross human rights abuses – is no longer welcome in Canada. I am also declaring the Venezuelan chargé d’affaires persona non grata," she said.
She said: "We will continue to work with our partners in the region, including through the Lima Group, to apply pressure on the anti-democratic Maduro regime and restore the rights of the Venezuelan people.”
Venezuela had earlier accused Canada of meddling in the internal affairs of the nation.
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