Venezuela closes UN human rights office citing ‘colonialist attitude’

Foreign minister claims local office of UN high commissioner for human rights supported impunity for coup plotters

Venezuela's government has ordered the local UN office on human rights to suspend operations, giving its staff 72 hours to leave, after accusing the office of promoting opposition to the South American country.

The foreign affairs minister, Yvan Gil, announced the decision at a news conference in Caracas on Thursday. Gil's announcement came on the heels of the detention of the human rights attorney Rocio San Miguel, which set off a wave of criticism inside and outside Venezuela.