Venezuela to limit US diplomat number, require tourist visas

Caracas: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he will limit the number of US diplomats allowed to work in the socialist South American country and also will require US citizens to apply for visas if they want to visit.

Maduro yesterday said that US meddling in the internal affairs of his country has forced him to adopt the series of restrictive measures. Relations between the two countries have been steadily deteriorating.

Earlier this month, Maduro accused the US of working with local opposition groups to stage a coup that involved bombing the presidential palace.

Washington has rejected the accusation as ludicrous.

The two countries have not exchanged ambassadors since 2010.