The president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, has expelled three U.S. diplomats from the country as well as issuing an invitation to meet with opposition leaders concerning the recent surge of protests and ensuing violence in the South American nation.

Maduro called for three opposition governors to meet with him in the capital, including Henrique Capriles, Maduro's most noteworthy political adversary who ran against him in elections after the death of Hugo Chavez.

"I'll meet with you, the three opposition governors, and receive you at the Miraflores Palace whenever you want, and we'll talk and I'll explain directly the tasks that fall to you in the Pacification Plan," Maduro said on Friday, according to the Venezuela-based Latin American Herald Tribune. "My message to you is one of peace and, yes, courage, without giving in to the blackmail of the far right,"

While reaching out to his political opposition, Maduro also expelled three U.S. diplomats, accusing them of coordinating the protests that have devolved into chaos in recent days.

"It's a group of U.S. functionaries who are in the universities," Maduro said, according to Deutsche Welle. "We've been watching them having meetings in the private universities for two months. They work in visas."

Maduro is still seeking the arrest of Leopoldo Lopez, a leader of the opposition that Maduro blames for instigating the most recent round of violence.

"You fugitive from justice, trembling with fear," Maduro called out to Lopez during a pro-government rally on Saturday filmed by Al Jazeera. "You facist coward, hand yourself in."

Lopez responded on Sunday by inviting supporters to join him in a march to the Interior Ministry saying that he would face the possibility of arrest.

"If anyone has decided to illegally arrest and jail me, you know I will be there to take on the persecution ... I have nothing to fear; I have not done anything illegal," said Lopez, according to DW.

Protesters continued to take to the streets in Caracas over the weekend in defiance of an order prohibiting any unauthorized demonstrations.