"We regret the fact that the German ambassador to Venezuela is pressed to leave the country… The European Union hopes that this decision can be reconsidered," Maja Kocijancic told reporters.
READ MORE: Venezuela Declares German Envoy Persona Non-Grata
Reacting to the statement, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said that Caracas hoped that Brussels would return to the approach of non-interference in Venezuela's domestic affairs.
"Venezuela hopes that the European Union will regain its balance and reconsider its position on constant interference in our internal affairs, as well as its clear coordination with the strategy of Washington’s aggression and its support for the opposition’s unconstitutional actions," Arreaza wrote on Twitter.
This comes after on Wednesday, Venezuela declared German Ambassador Daniel Martin Kriener persona non grata, citing his interference in the country's internal affairs as the reason. The decision was taken after Kiener and several other ambassadors welcomed a self-proclaimed "interim president" of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, at the airport upon his return from a Latin America tour.
Germany and several other EU countries backed Guaido after he announced his claim to leadership in January. The United States threw its support behind him as well.
However, Russia, China, Cuba, and several other countries, have backed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as the country's legitimate leader. Mexico and Uruguay have not recognized Guaido, declaring themselves neutral and promoting crisis settlement via dialogue.
