Citing audio and video obtained by the students at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Univision said Acosta was seeking information about the servers of nuclear power plants in the U.S.

After the documentary aired, the State Department said the allegations were 'very disturbing' and officials said the FBI had opened an investigation into the matter.

One group of Venezuelans in Miami told CNN on Sunday that they supported the U.S. government's move.

'The consul of Venezuela in Miami had not only conspired with Iranian officials to attack the security of the United States, but also had converted the Venezuelan Consulate in Miami into a spy centre to monitor the activities of Venezuelan activists especially in South Florida, with the intention of neutralizing us,' said a statement from the group, which included several organisations of Venezuelan exiles.