It's no secret that U.S.-Venezuela relations have been crumbling for years, but now it appears that tensions are starting to boil over.

The U.S. Embassy announced that it will no longer issue tourist visas to first-time applicants. According to the embassy, the decision was made because there is not enough staff following Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's action of the expulsion of three consular officials last month. The shortage of staff is also a result of delayed action by Maduro's administration to authorize the arrival of other American officials. 

In addition to what some might say is a calculated moved on Maduro's behalf, the recent Venezuelan anti-government protests that broke out a few weeks ago certainly has not helped ease tension between the feuding countries.

The deterioration of the U.S-Venezuela relationship dates back to the Bush administration in 2002, when Bush endorsed an unsuccessful coup against former Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez. In response to the coup, Chávez called Bush "a devil" and tension flew to an all-time high.

The two countries have not had ambassadors in either capital since 2010 as a result of the continuous jabs thrown back and forth by the opposing countries.

As the brawl ensues, Maduro insists that he wants to make amends with the U.S. He even went as far as proposing a new ambassador to Washington, but it isn't likely that the U.S. will respond amicably. 

Though sources say that the U.S. embassy's plan to eliminate tourist visas may simply be a threat, nothing has been confirmed. Tension is still quite thick between the two and there have been so many failed attempts at reconciliation between the U.S. and Venezuela in the past, who's to say what will happen.