Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday gave the head of the European Union mission in Caracas, Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa, 72 hours to leave the country after the bloc announced sanctions against 11 Venezuelan officials, DW reports.

His announcement came hours after the EU imposed tough financial measures against 11 Venezuelan officials loyal to the socialist leader, including Luis Parra, who heads a National Assembly rival to the one led by opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Relations between Venezuela and the EU have been tense since 2017 when Venezuela became the first Latin American country to receive sanctions from the EU, including an arms embargo.