TEHRAN, Jun. 30 (MNA) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday ordered the European Union envoy to leave the country, hours after the EU announced sanctions against several officials loyal to the socialist leader.

Maduro announced the move in a televised address after the EU Council sanctioned 11 members of Maduro’s inner circle after accusing them of undermining the powers of the National Assembly and rule of law in the country.

Maduro gave the EU envoy, Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa, 72 hours to leave the country after the sanctions were announced, according to Reuters.

“A plane can be loaned to her to leave,” he said.

The EU claimed the 11 individuals “are particularly responsible for acting against the National Assembly’s democratic functioning, including stripping parliamentary immunity from several of its members.”

ZZ/PR