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Subscribe to RSSVenezuela's consul general in Miami was ordered Sunday to leave the United States after allegations surfaced that she discussed possible cyber-attacks on U.S. soil.
The State Department said it had declared the diplomat, Livia Acosta Noguera, persona non grata and given her until Tuesday to leave the country.
Javier Caceres / AP, file
Venezuela diplomat Livia Acosta Noguera, pictured earlier.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the Venezuelan government was notified of the decision on Friday, giving her 72 hours to depart under standard diplomatic procedure. There was no immediate reaction from the Venezuelan government.
Toner would not discuss the reason for the expulsion, but said it was done in accordance with Article 23 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. That article does not require the expelling state to explain its decision.
The move follows an FBI investigation into allegations contained in a documentary aired by the Spanish-language broadcaster Univision last month.
According to the documentary, "The Iranian threat," Acosta discussed a possible cyber-attack against the U.S. government when she was previously assigned as a diplomat in the Venezuelan Embassy in Mexico.
The documentary was based on recordings of conversations with her and other officials, and also alleged that Cuban and Iranian diplomatic missions were involved.
Citing audio and video obtained by the students at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Univision said Acosta was seeking information about the servers of nuclear power plants in the U.S.
After the documentary aired, the State Department said the allegations were "very disturbing" and officials said the FBI had opened an investigation into the matter.
The New York Times reported that there was no indication American officials had been able to substantiate the allegations aired by Univision.
However, it said, the decision to expel the diplomat coincided with the Obama administration's expression of disapproval for Venezuela's willingness to maintain friendly relations with Iran.
Venezuela's leader, Hugo Chavez, expelled the American ambassador to Venezuela, Patrick D. Duddy, in September 2008, charging that the United States was backing a group of military officers plotting a coup against him.
In response, the United States expelled the Venezuelan ambassador.
Despite the breakdown in diplomatic relations, the two countries continue to have deep economic ties. Venezuela is the fourth-largest supplier of crude oil to the United States, the NYT said.
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The Associated Press and msnbc.com staff contributed to this report.
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"Univision said Acosta was seeking information about the servers of nuclear power plants in the U.S."
If true, disturbing indeed and her expulsion would be entirely justified.
Agreed. It's a shame such a country as Venezuela has to have such a douche as their leader. Venezuela, I typed it again, because I like saying Venezuela, it has a certain ring to it.
Put a bag on here head too.
Put a sock in your mouth.
No, Bob was correct. Her face is broken. Apparently Jerri likes broken chicks who suck at their jobs.
Or suck on their jobs.
She is kind of fugly ...
Jerri, pull the dick out of your mouth.
and "The New York Times reported that there was no indication American officials had been able to substantiate the allegations aired by Univision."
It is disturbing and a shame that you believe anything cooked in Miami, the center of anti-Chavez and anti-Castro news in the US.
Bob -
You're a cretin if your first response to every news story featuring a woman is based on whether or not you think she's attractive.
Women weren't put on the face of the earth to pleasure you, despite what god may have whispered in your ear while you were masturbating last night.
This woman scares me for one reason...she opens the door to a number of countries who have decided to target the US for one reason or another, mainly because of CIA involvement in their geography.
Chavez is a crack-pot, there is NO doubt, but if he and his collective mind-trust have persuaded Iran, Mexico and others to attempt Cyber attacks against US interests, this is a serious issur.
Normally I wouldn't give this much thought, but Iran was caught hiring a Mexican drug cartel to attack the Saudi Ambassador in New York City...there have been other incidents as well, but they are getting more support due to the war. Iran has been targetting US interests since the Hostage crisis, and has targetted Europe on more than a few occasions.
While I was working with Multi-National Division South in Baghdad and Basra, many of the weapons caches we discovered came into southern Iraq supplied by Iran. These weapons were supplied to be used against us. There were Plasma charges designed to target armored vehicles, disigned by Russia and supplied by Iran.
In 2009, Four American hikers were captured and accused of Spying by Iran, and were only recently returned, though there is some doubt as to exactly WHERE they were hiking.
Now we have a former Marine, who maintains dual citizenship captured and sentenced to death...granted the hikers were idiots to be hiking in an area so close to Iran during war time. It is becoming apparent that Iran feels it has cart blanc to target US citizens in the region, paranioa or not, we cannot stand by and let them do this every time they feel the urge.
LOL good one jerri-1.
Everyone should know by now, Boob hasn't contributed anything intellegent to any of the discussions I've seen him comment on. It's best to ignore him and not get worked up over it.
jerri-1, please mind rule # 1 of the Code of Honor in the future.
Thank you.
Bob-434277, you are suspended for a week.
These electric cars are looking better and better, who needs OIL, oh yeah the 1% does, so they can keep their bellies full.
Hey, don't bash Venezuela. The most beautiful woman I ever met (my ex-) is half Venezuelan!
So much for diplomacy, such as it is.
I am not certain I follow you Wm. Diplomacy on our part or on Venezuela's part? According to the story, she was trying to gather info on the United States nuclear power plants with help from Cuba and Iran. She should never be allowed in the U.S. ever again. Imagine, some douche wad like Chavez, with financial backing by Iran, successfully attacking nuclear power plants in America, not even close to being a good thing.
I was being sarcastic. If someone was made persona non grata, then it's obviously for a reason. For what it's worth, I have no love for Hugo.
Wm.,
I'm just wondering...I never heard anything from, or about Vensuala before Chavez started his crazy rants in late 2007, did you?
I got that you were being sarcastic about the diplomacy, but Chavez was declaring that Bush tried to assassinate him...though I couldn't see why the US would really care, since prior to that, there was no threat to US oil and natural gas interest.
Little men like Hugo should be seen not heard...He and his ilk love to spout nonsense without proof. That said, he shouldn't be ignored...we made that mistake with Hitler. If only we can cut our oil demand, that would really hit him where it hurts.
That's my rant, and I'll stick to it.
She should have been dropped in a deep dark hole instead of being allowed to leave. People get more time for simple pot possession.
Steve, That may be true, but diplomats are not bound by the other country's laws and embassys are considered soil of their native land. Thats supposed to keep them out of trouble if they break the host's laws by accident or ignorance, and make them feel safe enough to deal with the host's diplomats and other politicians. They are expected to NOT abuse the privilege, but if they do, or if they are offensive to the host, the very worst the host country can do is kick them out or its considered a act of war by international agreement.
LOL Otherwise, countries would announce war on each other by killing the other country's diplomats and sending just the head back which used to happen and it sort of crimped the diplomat's style as they couldn't say anything that might upset the host.
As usual, the agreement like all agreements and laws have been abused from time to time like spying on the host or aiding the enemies of the host, and this woman did both, but the most they can do is boot her fanny out. In cases like this, too bad they couldn't even use a real boot, but thems the rules.
Nightwalker,
Do you realize that Diplomats only have those rights in the US?
If the US Ambassador or any of the staff did something like this in most any other country, with the possible exception of some European counties, our diplomats would be tried the same as anyone else.
There was an incident a few years ago where the 17 year-old son of a US Ambassador in the Phillipines was tried for a percieved sexual assault there. No, the kid was not a diplomat, but the families of diplomats here are accorded DA (diplomatic ammunity) in the US.
It would not be a stetch to expect that if there was a serious fracture in relations with, say, Russia, that they would not allow our diplomatic party leave freely. Or if they were caught doing exactly what this Venesuelan did, they would be arrested. Especially in Venesuela.
it's "immunity"
Military Man-1740371 sorry pal, but I think you are an ignorant about diplomacy and foreign relations.
Chavez was right the US was working with senior Venezuelan officers to over through him. Clearly evident that the tail numbers of the aircraft that carted him off in an attempted coupe were US (bad move on the US scrub the tail numbers next time). If the US hates Chavez so much why do we keep buying his oil? The lady PNG'd out of her position and the allegation of the information finding about the servers was related to the hack that crippled the Iranian nuclear reactor comparing if it is possible for US reactors to suffer the same "SUSNET" attack. This actually shows how bad US intelligence is. Slow unresponsive and a little bit too late. People please remember that when you see the news of any major broadcast, there are hired US ARMY PSYOP now called MIST operators helping to reinforce national strategic policy. We have tried since the Shaw to have a war with Iran, are people so blind that is another attempt. Last I read we were working with Cuba and trade with Chavez was going well.
'over through'?
.......it's STUXNET not "SUSNET."
Every dictator needs a scapegoat if he is to stay in power, in Chavez's case it might as well be the US since he knows he supplies us with a lot of oil. Some times it is better to stick with a known brand of evil than to get one which may be a lot worse. During the WW2, there were a number of times when the Allies could have knocked off Hitler, but Churchill and Roosevelt vetoed such actions because Hitler was making such bad and stupid decisions that it was deemed he was the lesser of a possible more competent enemy. His no retreat policies deprived Germany of possibly a million men who could have regrouped in Germany proper and prolonged the war. Chavez, is a blowheart, who will eventually be overthrown by Venezuelans on their own accord, why make a future enemy when you don't have to. We are getting their oil now and will probably in the future so long as the Venezuelan people don't see us as interfering in their internal affairs.
This is the worst comment of the dumbest person I have ever red in my life... "Over through" must be from a spoken dialect in Iran. It is too early with your nonsensical view. Get a brush and toothpaste to cope with your mouth ulcer!
JCJ-3905343 no it is from Alabama.
Actually, Venezuela not only is the fourth largest supplier of crude to the US, they own controlling interest in at least one refinery in the US (HOVENSA in St. Croix USVI) and I believe also at least one of the major oil companies (Citgo).
JCJ-3905343
This is the worst comment of the dumbest person I have ever red in my life... "Over through"
Yes I understand I "read" your comment and thought I should check my spelling better before I post.
Romilio - no actually I live in Japan right now, born in the US, I served in the US Army supporting operations in Venezuela, and I should check my spelling. I don't understand what people from Alabama have to do with this, they seem nice unless you are from there, I myself grew up in a military family so it is hard to call one place home since I had to move every two years of my father's career.
"Where's Waldo and dudogger" thanks for the reminder to check my spelling
N.C. Thornton
"Every dictator needs a scapegoat if he is to stay in power" I agree with your point if you are talking about US foreign policy. Chavez has been repeatedly elected by his people after he ousted the big US backed oil company challengers that suspended their constitution following a failed coup attempt. "the revolution will not be televised" sheds great insight into the coup that tried to take Chavez out. Chavez is demonized by the US because he nationalized the oil fields this shifted the power and money aways from the US. Like Chavez or not, his case is the only case in modern World history of a person successfully apprehended in a coup, taken away and restored to power in less than 3 days - the only case in modern day history. It is a great case study for anyone interested in a real foreign policy and how we "the US" fail to have a real foreign policy. Our foreign policy should not be driven by political election fever nor the big oil lobby instead we have one where, not the military industrial complex lobbies to create an exaggerated enemy to solidify politicians/governmental control of the US public and future over priced military hardware contracts. I know I served in the military and constantly see the wasted money spent on equipment no one uses. It normally winds up in the pawn shop or Army/Navy store for some weekend beer money.
She looks like on of those Jerry Springer Mom's that leaves her kids in the car when its 110 degrees...She looks guilty...Really guilty...
Yet the Chinese are still here.
What is wrong with converting cars to Compressed Natural Gas? What is wrong with producing said CNG here in the US? Ford and GM produced versions of many models trucks, vans and cars that ran on CNG and the technology is inexpensive to use.
Ever heard of Texas. Texas is mostly oil and desert and death sentence chambers. Next to religion oil is the most sacred thing in Texas and they have the biggest lobbies in Congress plus two livng ex Presidents. If you think for one minute they are going to allow the automobile manufacturers to increase the mileage standards or switch to CNG you need to find a spot in Texas and bury your head in it. There is a barrel of oil being consumed every nanosecond in America, no matter where it lands in America it is owned and controlled by a company based in Texas, you do the math. Oil companies own every coal mine in America, they own the rights to every ounce of shale oil, they own every offshore oil rig. If you think for one minute they are going to allow any inroads into this monopoly you need to go back to dirt farming and whale oil lamps.
Nothing wrong with death sentence chambers. Only not enough of them elsewhere.
N.C.,
Yes I do think they will allow a change. As soon as they can gain control of what ever alternative it will be. Like buying up all the corn growing states! Ethyl alcohol is the closest alternative source for the infastructure we have to make a change over to service and to distribute. May not be everyones choice, that won't matter, it is or what ever is, number one on the list of fuels. That the Texas oil barons stand an actual chance of remaining in control over, will be the alternative fuel.
Lithium resources are abundant in the middle east. I think Bush may have been thrown out of the barons club for screwing up those plans.
So while I agree the good oil boys are not just going to let anyone mess with Texas, profits! The next alternative fuel, that they know has to be something soon. It will be what they can get their greedy hands on to remain in control over. My guess is a source they can control close to home or friendly to Texas, but what? When that is decided and accomplished you will see automobiles change without all the ''problems'' electric cars have strangly seen.
Before WWII we ignored what was going on in other countries, and we still got sucked into war. We are damned if we do, we're damned if we don't! But if we kept our noses out of other people's business, we would be better off. But Iran thinks other countries will come to their aid. They could win if we fought the same type of war as we did in Iraq. Personally, I would just nuke their government's home and get it over with. Everyone thinks we are the bad guys, isn't it about time we start acting like it!
That takes a tortured view of history to accept. We had an oil and steel embargo on Japan prior to WW2, we also armed England and later Russia through lend-lease programs.
My philosophy exactly, if I am a devil and and infidel in the Islamic mind I might as well start acting like a devil and nuke twenty five million of them. People are afraid of the devil, they might even start killing those who aroused this devil for good measure to appease this devil. If Bush 11 had only nuked Afghanistan thirty minutes after 9/11 we would have a much more understanding and tolerant Imam Islamist. We would have wiped out the Taliban heirachy, Bin Laden and five hundred thousand potential insurgents in one fell swoop. Pakistan, Iran, Syria and every other Moslem Country would have rounded up every terror organization and terrorist for us and beheaded them. They would have not wanted a repeat of such an action. It is called spare the rod and spoil the child. But then a ground war is much more profitble than a swift and decisive action. Go figure.
Mike, you definitely have a job waiting in the State Department....of the Bush Administration.
It's good to see that we have such talented foreign policy wonks in the "audience" out there.
We ignored the warning signals from Germany mainly because we didn't have any organization in place to learn about them. America buried its head in the sand about foreign policy until it was almost too late. What if Germany had conquered all of Europe, including England, we'd probably be fighting the Nazi's today in Canada or Mexico. In medicine they say annual checkups can find and possibly cure many ilnesses. To do otherwise is like burying your head in the sand and hope like hell you don't catch anything. Having an intelligence service is like an annual checkup, you might be able to head off a death dealing illness.
Mike- You get an "F" in history. We will see in in class again next term.
Diplomacy as Diplomats on both sides get away with what ever they can and if you in anyway think ours do not try things you have been under a rock somewhere...Yeah throw her to the dogs if she blew it not our problem but don't think our people are much cleaner..You would cry if you knew the truth.
As far as I know we have not tried to overthrow one Countries government for a square inch of land! In most cases our actions are reactions to some government or dictators policy. If we didn't have an intelligence apparatus in place who were carrying out some kinds of actions, we would want to know why our government didn't have one in place. Our first attempt at any kind of intelligence operations on a global scale began with the OSS which was formed after the Second World War began. Our intelligence prior to this was virtually nil. The CIA is an outgrowth of the OSS. Secret agencies in every government has been waging clandescline wars against other countries since Biblical times, spies were sent into Sodom and Gomorrah if I am not mistaken. It is a case of us crying either way knowing or not knowing.
100% correct....
diplomatic missions worldwide work at all levels for their individual state's interests....the hundreds of thousands of diplomatic cables leaked over the last two years show all levels of involvement on OUR SIDE....imagine what is going on on THEIR side....and this does not include the cover provided for our INTELLIGENCE INTERESTS.
XXX
Hehe...if other countries start expelling on grounds of cyber attacks or economic espionage, we'd have no diplomats left in the world. Get serious folks.
Where is Assange when you need him. They muzzled him up well - what a loss.
What about the US Cyber attacks on Iran. A little tit for tat going on? The Americans are running scared although it doesn't take much to scare them.
The most idiotic thing in this story is the coup in the US line. Can you imagine that? If we could get that kind of organization out of anybody in Washington/ Military then we wouldn't have the problems we do in the first place. Show me somebody with the skills to pull off a coup in this country and we'll vote him/her in as the most qualified anyway!
To quote John McCain, "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran."
I stand corrected.
In contrast, if she were an American diplomat in Iran, she would have been executed for attempted espionage, regardless of any Vienna Convention rules.
No they just convict and kill innocent people going to visit their grandmother instead.
Daryl, countries with diplomats still in Iran are not hated by the regime as much as Americans/Westerners are.
The price of 2 bullets would be far less than what we spent on looking into this.
Maybe instead of sending her home they should have arrested her for spying like the Iranians did.
Venezuela has 8 consulates and one embassy in the US. Acosta was the Consul General based in Miami, where the largest number of Venezuelans living outside of the country reside and therefore representing one of Chavez' largest opposing groups. According to the reports, they found a documentary that shows (on tape) how this b*tch was trying to plot against the US by getting a Mexican hacker to steal the access codes to all our nuclear facilities...seriously? And people don't really think this is major?
They're saying they haven't been able to confirm it and that these are mere allegations?.....I'm sorry, but for the State Department of the US to have declared her "persona non grata," that means that the FBI, CIA, Department of Homeland Security and every single other agency that this country has must have investigated her every move and found something on her. These people don't mess around. Unfortunately, because of her "diplomatic immunity", they know they can't touch her. So all they can do is follow diplomatic protocol and order her to leave US soil within 72 hours. Personally, they should have escorted her a$$ not on to a plane back to her country , but straight into a prison cell right where she belongs. I also think they need to investigate ALL of the remaining diplomatic staff, which are more than likely also part of Chavez' intel here in the US doing "double duty".....spying against the US AND keeping tabs on their own countrymen who have fled the Venezuelan regime...
Funny!! It she is doing nothing more than the U.S. does world over! O.K. for the U.S. but not for others. How nice. Further, if Iran is building up their defence ability maybe the threats from the U.S. and Israel have something to do with it!!