Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro has said he will expel the top US diplomat to the country for allegedly conspiring against his government.

In a televised address on Tuesday, Maduro gave Todd Robinson and his deputy, Brian Naranjo, 48 hours to leave the country.

Tensions have mounted mount between the two countries following Maduro’s victory in disputed presidential elections on Sunday. The White House has branded the election a “sham”.

Robinson is a career diplomat who previously served as ambassador to Guatemala. Venezuela and the US haven’t exchanged ambassadors since 2010. There was no immediate reaction from Robinson or the US embassy in Caracas.