DHAKA: The Venezuelan government says the United States has two weeks to dramatically reduce the number of diplomats it has in the country.
Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said the US could decide which of its 100 diplomats should be sent home.
She said the goal was to bring the balance down to 17 - the number of Venezuelan diplomats in the US.
On Saturday, President Nicolas Maduro said the US had been meddling in Venezuela’s affairs.
He said US citizens visiting the country would now be required to apply for visas charged at the same rates levied on Venezuelans wishing to visit the US.
Maduro said Venezuela would also issue a list of banned politicians who it considered to have promoted human rights abuses.
Earlier this month the US imposed visa restrictions on unnamed Venezuelan officials it accused of human rights violations and corruption.
BDST: 1515 HRS, MAR 03, 2015