President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela has announced the expulsion of three US diplomats whom he accused of plotting to sabotage the economy, with a stern warning that they must vacate the country within 48 hours.

CEOAFRICA.com gathered that Mr Maduro says he has evidence that the trio took part in a power-grid sabotage in September and had bribed Venezuelan companies to cut down production.

The expelled diplomats include Kelly Keiderling, David Moo and Elizabeth Hoffman.

The United States and Venezuela have been without ambassadors in each other's capitals since 2010.

President Maduro made his intention known during an official ceremony at the city of Santa Ana.

“Out of Venezuela! Yankees go home! Enough of abuse against the dignity of peace-loving nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the U.S embassy said it has not yet been officially notified of the  Venezuelan government decision to expel the three diplomats.

"We completely reject the Venezuelan government's allegations of US government involvement in any type of conspiracy to destabilize the Venezuela government,'' the embassy said in a statement.

Venezuela is facing a shortage of several goods, including toilet paper, sugar and flour.