Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro condemned what he called actions by the "U.S. far right." He did not give details.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee last week backed an amendment to slash the $48.5 million that the U.S. provides for the Organization of American States. U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, a Florida Republican who supported the measure, said it was targeted at an organization that he feels backs a U.S. foe in Venezuela.

"We strongly reject these steps that the far right is taking, and which in its steps drag along a good part of... the United States Congress and the United State government with an absurd, extremist policy against Latin America and against our homeland," Maduro said after a Cabinet meeting.

He accused the U.S. "far-right" of trying to "meddle in the affairs of our country and maintain a policy of permanent aggression."

Last month, a U.S. State Department report included Venezuela in a list of countries that it said are failing to combat human trafficking. U.S. officials also have said Venezuela is failing to take adequate steps to curb drug trafficking.

AP