Venezuela’s deteriorating situation stirs U.S. to pull all its diplomatic personnel

The United States is to withdraw all remaining diplomatic personnel from Venezuela this week, the U.S. State Department announced late on Thursday.

“Like the January 24 decision to withdraw all dependents and reduce embassy staff to a minimum, this decision reflects the deteriorating situation in Venezuela as well as the conclusion that the presence of U.S. diplomatic staff at the embassy has become a constraint on U.S. policy,” the State Department said.

WATCH: March 9 — Nicolas Maduro blames Venezuela blackouts on U.S. weapons

It did not say on what day the personnel would be withdrawn from the embassy in Caracas.

READ MORE: Anti-Maduro protesters clash with Venezuelan police as blackout persists