Canada to expel Venezuelan diplomat in retaliatory move

OTTAWA -- Canada will expel a Venezuelan diplomat in retaliation after the South American country booted out Canada's envoy for meddling in its internal affairs, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said Monday.

In a statement, Freeland declared Venezuelan charge d'affaires Angel Herrera persona non grata. She also said Wilmer Barrientos, the Venezuelan ambassador to Canada who has already been recalled by his government to protest Canadian sanctions, was no longer welcome in Canada.

Venezuela's expulsion of the Canadian diplomat on Saturday was "typical of the Maduro regime, which has consistently undermined all efforts to restore democracy and to help the Venezuelan people," she said.

The latest developments come after months of sanctions and criticism by Canada against Venezuela, which led to Venezuela declaring Canada's charge d'affaires Craig Kowalik -- the diplomat who leads an embassy in the absence of an ambassador -- persona non grata, stripping him of his diplomatic credentials and barring him from returning to the country.

Delcy Rodriguez, president of the Venezuelan National Constituent Assembly, on Saturday accused Kowalik of meddling in the country's politics and tweeting "rude and vulgar" comments about the nation.

Western nations and Latin American neighbors have been increasingly critical of President Nicolas Maduro this year, accusing him of stamping on democracy and human rights. However, Venezuela accuses foreign governments of trying to encourage a right-wing coup.

Canada has been critical of Maduro's ruling party for consolidating power and isolating the country's opposition parties. Also, Canada has protested that the National Constituent Assembly was not elected democratically last July.

In September, Canada imposed sanctions against 40 key figures of Venezuela, including both Maduro and Rodriguez.

Economic sanctions were also carried out by the Lima Group, a body made up of Canada and 11 other Latin American countries.

Venezuela has suffered major economic distress since the death of former leader Hugo Chavez. A fall in global oil prices since late 2014 and the devaluation of the country's currency caused inflation to skyrocket and led to shortages of food, medicine and other basic necessities.