The Venezuelan government has set a 72-hour deadline for Colombian diplomats to leave the country, shortly after Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez severed ties with Colombia, Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicolás Maduro reported on Thursday.

"We have sent a diplomatic note to the chargé d'affaires of the Republic of Colombia in Caracas for them to shut their embassy down within 72 hours and leave the country," Maduro said.

The Venezuelan Head of State ordered Venezuelan troops on the Colombian border to keep alert and prepare in the event of raid.

Source: ElUniversal.com