US denies its diplomats conspired against Venezuela

Washington, Oct 2: The

State Department Tuesday denied Venezuelan charges that three US

in Caracas conspired against the Andean nation, while adding that it was mulling a response to the trio's expulsion.

"We completely reject the Venezuelan government's allegations of the US government involvement in any type of conspiracy to destabilise the Venezuelan government," department's spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.

"In accordance with the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations and on consular relations, the United States may take reciprocal action," for Caracas' decision to expel the three diplomats, she said.

"We're still considering what actions we might take," Psaki added.

The Venezuelan government ordered Kelly Keiderling, Elizabeth Hunderland and David Mutt to leave the country within 48 hours.

Keiderling is the highest-ranking US diplomat in Venezuela.

IANS