Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday ordered three U.S. diplomatic officials expelled from the country , accusing them of conspiring against his government . The announcement comes after the U.S. State Department expressed concerns about the state of affairs in Venezuela . Three anti-government protesters died in clashes last week in Caracas , and authorities have issued an arrest warrant for an opposition leader on charges including conspiracy and murder in connection with the violence . `` We are deeply concerned by rising tensions , by the violence surrounding this February 12 protest and by the issuing of a warrant for the arrest of the opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez , '' State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Saturday . `` We join the secretary general of ( the Organization of American States ) in condemning the violence and calling on authorities to investigate and bring to justice those responsible for the death of peaceful protesters . '' But the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry fired back at the Obama administration . `` The U.S. government is lying when the denounced the arrest of anti- peaceful protesters , '' the ministry said in a statement . `` The world must know that there is sufficient evidence that the groups that have caused violence in recent days are headed by Mr. Leopoldo López . '' Lopez 's party , Popular Will , has accused the government of being responsible for violence during the protests . In a YouTube video posted from an undisclosed location over the weekend , Lopez called for new anti-government protests Tuesday and vowed to show his face in front of Venezuela 's Justice Ministry and hand over a list of demands from the Venezuelan people to government officials . `` It has been said in recent days that they want to see me held prisoner . I will be there to show my face . I have nothing to be afraid of . I have not committed any crime . I have been a Venezuelan committed to our country , to our people , to our constitution and to our future , '' he said . `` If there is some decision to illegally imprison me , well , I will be there , to assume this persecution and this infamous decision by the state . '' He encouraged protesters to be peaceful and to allow him to walk the final stretch to the ministry alone . Protests and violence in Venezuela .
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry says the U.S. government is ` ` lying '' 3 U.S. officials are accused of conspiring against the Venezuelan government . The accusation comes after the government expressed concern over rising tensions . An arrest warrant has been issued for opposition leader Carlos Chávez .