The move by Caracas came days after President Hugo Chavez announced the closure of its consulate in Miami in the wake of the expulsion of consul general Livia Acosta, declared persona non grata on January 6.
A Venezuelan foreign ministry statement said the diplomatic and consular personnel in Miami "have been subjected to threats and intimidation," and that as a result face "a real, grave and imminent danger."
The Caracas government said all the personnel in Miami would return home and that it would "initiate a comprehensive assessment of operating conditions and safety" in the Florida city.
The opposition criticized the closure, saying it would deprive an estimated 200,000 Venezuelans of consular services and make it difficult for those living in the Miami area to register for Venezuela`s presidential elections later this year.
Washington and Caracas have had strained relations under Chavez and since 2010 have had no ambassadors.
In the US action earlier this month, no reason was given for the expulsion, but the State Department had been looking into a report that while serving in the Venezuelan embassy in Mexico, Acosta had discussed a campaign of cyber attacks against the United States.
(U.H-RN)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
