Venezuela to allow EU ambassador to remain in Caracas

Venezuela will allow the European Union's ambassador to remain in Caracas, reversing an earlier decision to expel the envoy, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday.

The socialist leader said after a telephone conversation between Venezuelan Foreign Minister and the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs that the South American country decided to allow the EU ambassador in Caracas to remain. Maduro ordered the EU envoy to leave the country on Monday. It came hours after the EU announced sanctions against 11 officials loyal to the socialist leader.