Panama to withdraw diplomats from Venezuela, suspend ties

Panama put its diplomatic relations with Venezuela "on hold" and will withdraw its diplomatic personnel from the country until a full review of Sunday's presidential election results is conducted, President Mulino said on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Panama joined eight other Latin American countries calling for an emergency meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) permanent council. Mulino said the withdrawal of diplomatic personnel usually takes about 72 hours, but that the foreign affairs ministry will decide what is appropriate.