Caracas--President Nicolas Maduro plans to limit the US diplomatic presence in Venezuela and require American tourists to obtain visas, in a sign of growing tensions between the two countries.
The leftist president said the measures, announced Saturday, aimed to "control" US meddling in Venezuelan affairs.
Maduro has intensified in recent months his allegations of coup and assassination plans -- often purportedly backed by the United States -- as he faces a deep economic crisis and a sharp drop in popularity.
"In order to protect our country... I have decided to implement a system of compulsory visas for all Americans entering Venezuela," he told supporters.
Under the new measures, Venezuela will start charging tourists the same visa fees the United States asks of Venezuelans, though it was unclear when the plan would be implemented.
But the restrictions could also have an impact on business travelers seeking to invest in one of the world's biggest oil producers.
In his fiery speech outside the Miraflores presidential palace, Maduro noted that the Americans have 100 diplomatic staff in Caracas, compared to 17 Venezuelan diplomats in Washington.
He cited the Vienna Convention's principle of the equality of states concerning the size of respective diplomatic missions in ordering his Foreign Ministry to "reduce, adjust and limit the number of US officials" at the American embassy in Caracas.
The US State Department said it had not received any diplomatic communication regarding a reduction in its embassy personnel or visas.
However, a senior administration official emphasized that Caracas's "continued allegations that the United States is involved in efforts to destabilize the Venezuelan government are baseless and false."
AFP
