Caracas, March 7 (RHC)-- Venezuelan authorities have declared the German ambassador Daniel Kriener persona non grata over what it called “interference into its internal affairs."  Kriener was granted a period of 48 hours to leave the territory of Venezuela.

Germany’s envoy has become the first European diplomat to be expelled from the Latin American state amid the ongoing escalation of tensions between Caracas and Washington and its allies, supporting a self-proclaimed ‘interim president’ Juan Guaido.

the Foreign Ministry said in a statement : “Venezuela considers it unacceptable that a foreign diplomat... plays a public role in its territory, which is more typical for a political leader, who clearly supports the conspiracy agenda of the extremist parts of the Venezuelan opposition,”.

At the same time, Caracas said it is still ready to maintain a “respectful and cooperative relationship with all the governments of Europe” as long as they refrain from “encouraging a coup and violent actions,” as well as contribute to a “peaceful solution” of the Venezuelan political crisis and foster a dialogue between various Venezuelan political forces.

On Monday, the ambassador, along with other European envoys and diplomats, went to the Caracas airport to support Guaido, who returned to Venezuela from a trip to several Latin American countries, despite a court-imposed travel ban, which barred him from leaving Venezuela.