MOSCOW, Jan 16 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- The Netherlands decided to halve the number of Venezuelan diplomats in the country in response to Caracas' actions, and gave them 48 hours to leave the kingdom, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti, quoting Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.
"In response to Venezuela's decision, the Kingdom of the Netherlands applies the principle of reciprocity to two of the three measures imposed: the reduction of the representation from four to two foreign employees, which is proportional to the measures imposed on the Netherlands (from six to three), as well as their departure from the Netherlands within 48 hours," Veldkamp said in a letter to the country’s parliament.
On Tuesday, the Venezuelan government decided to limit the number of accreditations for diplomats from Italy, France and the Netherlands, citing interference in Caracas’ affairs. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said that the three countries would be allowed to have no more than three diplomatic workers in Caracas, while their movements around the country without approval will be limited to a 40-kilometre (24.8 miles) zone.
--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI
