CARACAS, Sept 8, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela said Saturday it was revoking
permission for Brazil to represent Argentina's diplomatic interests in the
country in the messy aftermath of President Nicolas Maduro's disputed
reelection.

Brazil responded quickly and insisted it would maintain the status quo, at
least for now, of overseeing the Argentine embassy, where six Venezuelan
opposition officials have been sheltering for months.

Venezuela was furious when Argentina joined other Latin American countries in
asking for a complete review of the results of the July 28 election.

Argentina was among seven Latin American countries whose diplomatic staff
were asked to leave Caracas as Venezuela severed relations with those
nations.

Brazil, led by leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, agreed to take
over custody of the Argentine embassy, where six people loyal to Venezuelan
opposition leader Maria Corina Machado have been sheltering since March to
escape arrest on conspiracy charges.

But on Saturday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said Caracas was
immediately revoking its permission for Brazil to keep custody of the embassy
and represent Argentine interests in the troubled, oil-rich country.

He said Venezuela had evidence the embassy was being used to plan "terrorist
actions" and even assassination attempts against Maduro.

Argentina slammed Venezuela's "unilateral decision" and warned Caracas to
respect diplomatic norms.

"Any attempt to interfere with or kidnap the asylum seekers who remain in our
official residence will be harshly condemned by the international community,"
Argentina's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, while also thanking
Brasilia for "its commitment and responsibility" in taking care of its
interests in Venezuela.

Brazil's foreign ministry said Brasilia would continue to represent Argentine
interests in Venezuela and keep custody of the embassy until Buenos Aires
names another country to do so that is acceptable to Venezuela.

The statement insisted the Argentine embassy compound in Caracas was
"inviolable."

The Venezuelan opposition said Saturday morning that the Argentine embassy
was under siege and electricity had been cut off.

Vehicles of the Venezuelan security forces have encircled the compound since
Friday night.

Venezuela has been in a political crisis since authorities declared Maduro
the victor of the July 28 election. The opposition has cried foul, claiming
it had evidence its candidate had won by a comfortable margin.

Numerous nations, including the United States, European Union and several
Latin American countries, have refused to recognize Maduro as the winner
without Caracas releasing detailed voting data.

Post-election violence in Venezuela has claimed 27 lives and left 192 people
injured while the government says it has arrested some 2,400 people.