DHAKA: Venezuela has announced it is expelling three US diplomats, whom it accuses of plotting to sabotage the economy.

President Nicolas Maduro said the diplomats have 48 hours to leave the country, saying "Yankees, go home!"

Mr Maduro says he has evidence that the trio took part in a power-grid sabotage in September and had bribed Venezuelan companies to cut down production.

The United States and Venezuela have been without ambassadors in each other`s capitals since 2010.

The diplomats expelled have been named as Kelly Keiderling the charge d`affaires and the most senior US diplomat in Caracas David Moo and Elizabeth Hoffman.

“We completely reject the Venezuelan government`s allegations of US government involvement in any type of conspiracy to destabilize the Venezuela government,`` the embassy said in a statement.

It said it had not yet been officially notified of the Venezuelan government decision to expel the three diplomats.

Mr Maduro made the announcement during an official ceremony at the city of Santa Ana.

"Out of Venezuela! Yankees go home! Enough of abuse against the dignity of a peace-loving nation," he said.

Venezuela is facing a shortage of several goods, including toilet paper, sugar and flour.

The opposition blames Mr Maduro`s left-wing policies and rhetoric for the crisis.

Source: BBC
BDST: 0956 HRS, OCT 01, 2013
GR/AKA/BSK