The US State Department has denied accusations that three of its diplomats in Venezuela recruited students to lead opposition protests.<br /><br />The consular staff are said to have used visa visits to universities as cover for promoting demonstrations to students.<br /><br />The three have been given 48 hours to leave Venezuela.<br /><br />The State Department has called the allegations “baseless and false” adding that Washington supports free expression and peaceful assembly in Venezuela and around the world.<br /><br />Student demonstrators have promised to stay in the street until President Nicolas Maduro resigns, but the former bus driver has vowed not to cede even a “millimeter” of power. <br /><br />Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez called for students to march with him to the centre of Caracas today.<br /><br />Lopez is wanted on charges including murder and terrorism. He said he would then hand himself in. <br /><br />The Caracas protests have been limited to mostly upscale areas. There has been no evidence that Venezuelans would join them en ma
