Venezuela closes consulate in Miami, citing risks

Jan 16, 2012, 17:21 GMT

Caracas - The Venezuelan government announced Monday the closure of its consulate in Miami, saying that its personnel were at risk.

Earlier this month, Venezuela's consul in Miami, Livia Acosta Noguera, was expelled from the United States, and the US State Department declared her 'persona non grata.'

US authorities, which declined to give details of the reasons for the expulsion, informed the Venezuelan embassy of their decision on January 6.

The Miami Herald reported allegations that she had discussed possible cyberattacks on US soil. The FBI had investigated the allegations, which were made in a documentary aired on Univision, a Spanish language broadcaster, about the 'Iranian threat.'

The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday that Acosta Noguera had been expelled 'based on unjustified allegations that were irresponsibly spread by a television channel better known for its telenovelas than for serious journalism.'

'It constitutes an unfair, worrying and immoral move that shows off the submission of Washington's agenda to that of extremist and violent political sectors that have their home in the state of Florida,' the statement said.

The consulate is to remain closed 'until further notice,' the statement said.

Florida-based 'criminal and terrorist' organizations have threatened its personnel since Acosta Noguera's expulsion became public, the ministry argued. 'With a view to preserving their physical and moral integrity,' the statement said, they are to return to Caracas.

Miami is holds a very large Venezuelan expatriate community, with a total of around 100,000 people registered to vote in the South American country's elections. A large proportion of them are believed to be critical of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

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