Venezuela Expels Three American Diplomats Amid Protests

MIAMI (CBSMiami)- Dozens  of Venezuelans in Doral  rallied against the country’s political regime over the weekend in Doral.

Doral is home to a large population of Venezuelans now living in the South Florida area.

All this as massive student  protests in Venezuela are  calling for the country’s President  Nicolás Maduro to leave office.

On Sunday, Maduro expelled three American diplomats from Caracas accusing the U.S. of conspiracy.

As night fell, it was still students versus riot police in Caracas on Sunday, but the protests appeared to be peaceful.

Meantime, plain clothes policeman were in the back of a pick-up outside the home of the father of Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez. Reports said the government wants to arrest him in connection with deadly street protests in recent days.

“I have committed no crime,” said Lopez. “I have been a Venezuelan committed to our country, our people, and our future.”

Earlier, Lopez called Maduro a coward on Twitter. “You won’t make either me or my family bow to you,” he added.

Riot police blocked off streets in Caracas  as anti-government protesters continued their demonstrations on Sunday.   They’ve vowed  to stay in the streets until President Maduro resigns.

Late Sunday night, there were reports of protesters clashing with police and National Guard troops near the Plaza Altamira in a Caracas neighborhood that has long been the center of opposition activism.