Venezuela revokes Brazil's custody of diplomatic mission that's housing six Maduro opponents

Venezuela expels Brazil as Argentina's diplomatic representative, putting asylum seekers at risk in escalating political tensions.

Venezuela's government has said that Brazil can no longer represent Argentina's diplomatic interests in the country, putting several anti-government opponents holed up for months in the Argentine ambassador's residence seeking asylum at risk.

Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that it had notified Brazil of its decision, which will take effect immediately. It said it was forced to take action based on what it called evidence — which it hasn't shared — that those who sought refuge in Argentina's diplomatic mission were conspiring to carry out "terrorist" acts, including the assassination of President Nicolas Maduro and his vice president.

The move on September 7 is the latest burst of friction between the countries. Argentina's President has been among those leading the charge against Maduro over alleged attempts to steal July's presidential election. Electoral authorities pronounced Maduro the winner despite strong evidence collected at the ballot boxes by the opposition that it prevailed by a more than 2-to-1 margin. Since the election, thousands have been arrested in a brutal crackdown.

Magalli Meda, the former campaign chief of opposition leader María Corina Machado, was among a half-dozen government opponents who fled to the Argentina ambassador's residence after Maduro's chief prosecutor issued an order for her arrest in March for allegedly propagating destabilising political violence.

In retaliation, Maduro broke off diplomatic relations with Argentine President Javier Milei's right-wing government, which tapped neighbour Brazil to represent its interests and safeguard the asylum seekers.

Brazil's Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said it was "surprised" by Venezuela's decision. Under the Vienna Convention governing diplomatic relations, Argentina must now name a substitute custodian acceptable to Venezuela's government, the foreign ministry said. Meanwhile, Brazil will remain responsible for the diplomatic mission, whose physical integrity cannot be violated, the statement said.

Since Friday, armoured vehicles from the SEBIN political police have been parked outside the Argentina ambassador's residence in a leafy Caracas neighbourhood. Electricity to the diplomatic mission was also cut, according to Meda, who has taken to social media to denounce what she fears is an impending raid to arrest her and the other government opponents.