Venezuelan Opposition Planned on Expelling Cubans after Coup

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro revealed Tuesday that had an opposition-led coup plot against his government succeeded, all Cubans nationals would have been expelled from Venezuela.

The plan to remove Cubans, which government officials characterized as xenophobic, was revealed by the president as part of of 100 day plan by the coup plotters to reverse the gains of the Bolivarian Revolution.

Maduro said during his television program that the plan called for all Cuban officials from the country's diplomatic missions to report to the nearest military base within 24 hours. The plan also called for all Cubans working with the government in the country to turn themselves over to police.

Cubans play a critical role in social development projects in Venezuela. As part of a complementary trade deal between Venezuela and Cuba, the Caribbean island sends thousands of doctors, health specialists, as well as cultural workers to serve low-income and traditionally under-serviced communities in Venezuela. In exchange Venezuela sends Cuba oil at preferential prices.

The first such program, called Barrio Adentro, or Inside the Neighborhood, created thousands of clinics inside communities and is credited with having significantly improved the health indicators of Venezuelans.

Meanwhile, Cuban Minister of Foreign Relations Bruno Rodriguez reiterated Cuba's support for Venezuela during his presentation at the 28th meeting of the UN Human Rights Council Tuesday.

Rodriguez also spoke out against unilateral sanctions imposed on Venezuela by the United States government, calling them “unacceptable and unjustified” and an attempt to create a climate of instability in the country.