President Nicolas Maduro says the move is to control US influence
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced he will be implementing a mandatory visa system for all American citizens visiting the country, as a way to “control” Washington interference after claiming the country had captured several several US spies.
The leftist president also ordered a review and reduction of US diplomatic staff in Caracas.
“In order to protect our country … I have decided to implement a system of compulsory visas for all Americans entering Venezuela,” he told supporters.
The Veneuzuelan president said the captured Americans included a pilot who along with other US citizens in Venezuelan custody had, he alleged, been involved in espionage.