Man who won last election by a narrow majority now blames Obama for his problems , among others
21 February 2014
Last updated at 20:19 ET
Maduro says the US has been trying to destroy the "Bolivarian Revolution" launched by Hugo Chavez
Two other CNN journalists who had been sent to Venezuela to
cover the country's political crisis also had their working permits
cancelled.
President Nicolas Maduro had vowed to expel CNN unless it "rectified" its coverage of recent opposition marches.
Eight people have been killed in a series of protests that began this month, according to the government.
The government accuses him of inciting violence as part of a right-wing coup plot.
During a news conference on Friday, Mr Maduro invited President Obama to join him in talks.
"Accept the challenge and we will start a high-level dialogue and put the truth on the table," he said.
Mr Maduro accused conservative sectors in the United States, including its media organisations, of plotting against his government.
The dialogue with the US will be "difficult and complex", said
Mr Maduro, until the American government accepted "the full autonomy and
independence of Latin America".
Venezuela expelled on Sunday three US diplomats accused of meeting violent groups linked to the opposition.
'Propaganda'
Venezuela 'revokes accreditation and visas' of CNN journalists
Maduro says the US has been trying to destroy the "Bolivarian Revolution" launched by Hugo Chavez
Venezuela has revoked the accreditation of CNN's Caracas-based reporter Osmary Hernandez, the US news network says.
President Nicolas Maduro had vowed to expel CNN unless it "rectified" its coverage of recent opposition marches.
Eight people have been killed in a series of protests that began this month, according to the government.
Continue reading the main story
Nicolas Maduro"I call a dialogue with you, President Obama. Accept the challenge and we will start a high-level dialogue and put the truth on the table”
The opposition leader who called the marches, Leopoldo Lopez, was detained on Tuesday during a protest in Caracas.
During a news conference on Friday, Mr Maduro invited President Obama to join him in talks.
"Accept the challenge and we will start a high-level dialogue and put the truth on the table," he said.
Mr Maduro accused conservative sectors in the United States, including its media organisations, of plotting against his government.
Protests against the government have entered their second week
Venezuela expelled on Sunday three US diplomats accused of meeting violent groups linked to the opposition.
'Propaganda'
On Thursday, during a live broadcast, Mr Maduro threatened to
"take action" against CNN unless it ceased what he described as "hostile
coverage".
"I won't accept war propaganda against Venezuela. If they don't rectify themselves, out of Venezuela," he said.
In a statement, the network said it was still negotiating with the authorities.
"We hope the government reconsiders its decision. Meanwhile, we will carry on covering events in Venezuela in a fair, accurate and balanced manner," read the statement.
A close ally of the late president, Hugo Chavez, Mr Maduro was elected by a narrow margin last April.
Political divisions have deepened since the election, and the economy has taken a downturn.
Henrique Capriles, who was defeated in last year's presidential election, and other opposition leaders have called on people to take to the streets on Saturday, in marches "against violence".
"I won't accept war propaganda against Venezuela. If they don't rectify themselves, out of Venezuela," he said.
Journalists took to the streets earlier this month to complain about the shortage of printing paper
One of the two US-based CNN journalists who had their work
permits cancelled, Patricia Janiot, said she had been harassed by
Venezuelan officials as she left the country.In a statement, the network said it was still negotiating with the authorities.
"We hope the government reconsiders its decision. Meanwhile, we will carry on covering events in Venezuela in a fair, accurate and balanced manner," read the statement.
A close ally of the late president, Hugo Chavez, Mr Maduro was elected by a narrow margin last April.
Political divisions have deepened since the election, and the economy has taken a downturn.
Henrique Capriles, who was defeated in last year's presidential election, and other opposition leaders have called on people to take to the streets on Saturday, in marches "against violence".
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